Double-blind cross-over trial comparing beclomethasone dipropionate and terfenadine in perennial rhinitis

Eighteen patients with perennial rhinitis were evaluated in this double-blind cross-over trial comparing beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) aqueous nasal spray with terfenadine tablets. Both treatments were effective in reducing symptom scores but BDP was significantly better than terfenadine in relieving running nose and sneezing (P less than 0.05). BDP also had a greater effect on reducing nasal inflammation than terfenadine. Although the clinicians and patients assessed both therapies to be equi-effective, significantly more patients preferred the BDP treatment (P less than 0.003). Overall, BDP therapy proved more beneficial than terfenadine therapy in this small group of perennial rhinitis sufferers.