Injectable depot corticosteroid therapy in hay fever.
Forty-two patients with stable hay fever were treated with injections of long-acting corticosteroids. They were randomly assigned to either 2 ml of betamethasone dipropionate + betamethasone phosphate (Diprospan) or 2 ml of methylprednisolone acetate (Depomedrol). Eye and nose symptoms were evaluated according to a four-step scale of weekly intervals. Both steroids were highly efficacious in reducing the symptoms with maximal effect one week after injection and slow diminution during subsequent weeks. However, Diprospan showed a significantly better effect than Depomedrol on all symptoms. It is concluded that depot injectable formulations of corticosteroids are a useful therapeutical alternative in hay fever.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D001623:Betamethasone; D008775:Methylprednisolone