Oral vasoconstrictors in perennial non-allergic rhinitis

Nasal airway resistance and nasal symptoms were evaluated in patients with perennial non-allergic rhinitis before and after vasoconstrictory drugs and placebo taken orally. The patients were partly selected; those suffering mainly from nasal obstruction being tested. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in a dose of 100 mg in a sustained-release preparation clearly decreased the nasal airway resistance measured rhinomanometrically. PPA in a dose of 50 mg and combined with an antihistamine had no obvious decongesting effect. Placebo and dihydroergotamine (DHE) in a dose of 5 mg did not decrease the nasal airway resistance PPA (100 mg) and the combined preparation containing PPA in the lower dose (50 mg) taken twice a day in a cross-over, double-blind study significantly reduced nasal obstruction, secretion, and sneezing compared with placebo. Side effects of PPA are discussed.