Intranasal nedocromil sodium in the treatment of ragweed-allergic rhinitis

Nedocromil sodium (NS), a new pyranoquinoline dicarboxylic acid derivative, reported to be effective against both mucosal and connective tissue-type mast cells, was studied in ragweed-allergic rhinitis (RAR). Thirty-six patients with RAR were studied in an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Stratification was based on prick skin test sensitivity and severity of signs and symptoms of previous RAR. NS (1% solution) in a dose of 0.13 ml of nasal spray was administered to each nostril, a minimum twice daily. Concomitant medications were limited to ingested terfenadine, ocular cromolyn, and inhaled medications. Symptoms and medications were noted daily. Active-treatment and placebo-treatment groups were comparable. There were less symptoms of runny nose and itchy eyes in the active-treatment group (p less than 0.05) and also less antihistamine, p less than 0.004. Patients in the active-treatment group were more likely to conclude that symptoms were improved by the nasal spray (p less than 0.01). No side effects were reported. This study indicates that NS is effective and well tolerated in RAR.