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Intranasal topical flunisolide therapy in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Insights
Flunisolide nasal spray effectively treated seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms in children. This treatment did not suppress the pituitary-adrenal axis, making it a safe option for young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis is a common condition in children.
- Effective and safe treatments are needed to manage hay fever symptoms.
- Intranasal corticosteroids are a primary treatment modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of intranasal flunisolide in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis in children.
- To assess the safety of intranasal flunisolide regarding pituitary-adrenal axis function.
- To compare flunisolide's effectiveness against a placebo in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.
- Thirty-five children (ages 5-14) received either flunisolide (200 mcg/day) or placebo intranasally.
- Symptom reduction and plasma cortisol levels were monitored.
Main Results:
- Flunisolide significantly reduced symptoms including sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
- 64% of children on flunisolide reported substantial symptom control versus 33% on placebo (P < 0.05).
- Intranasal flunisolide at 200 mcg/day did not suppress the pituitary-adrenal axis.
Conclusions:
- Intranasal flunisolide is an effective treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis in children.
- The medication demonstrates a favorable safety profile concerning adrenal function.
- Flunisolide offers a safe and effective therapeutic option for pediatric hay fever.
Abstract:
This study tested the effectiveness of flunisolide in the treatment of children with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Thirty-five children between the ages of 5 and 14 years used an intransal preparation of either flunisolide (200 micrograms/day) or placebo for a 6-week double-blind parallel trial consisting of a 2-week baseline phase and a 4-week treatment phase, conducted during a period of 'high' pollen counts in Adelaide, South Australia. Flunisolide was effective in reducing four symptoms of hay fever: sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose and eye itch. Sixty-four percent of the flunisolide-treated group and 33% of the placebo-treated group noted substantial or total control of their hay fever symptoms (P < 0.05). The effect of the intranasal administration of flunisolide on the pituitary-adrenal axis was monitored by performing plasma cortisol measurements (a.m. and p.m.) and 24-hr urinary free cortisol excretion studies for each patient. The data confirmed that 200 micrograms/day intranasal flunisolide does not suppress the pituitary-adrenal-axis in this young patient population.