Ephedrine-saline nasal wash in allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Ephedrine nasal wash (0.25% to 1%) was once used in the treatment of sinusitis and other nasal and paranasal symptoms, but there are no reported controlled trials in allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
In a blinded study, 118 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into two groups of 65 and 53 patients, respectively, and administered either a placebo or a 1% ephedrine-saline nasal wash once every 48 hours for a period of 4 weeks. These groups were then crossed over after a 4-week interval, and their weekly symptom scores and peak nasal inspiratory flow rates were monitored.


RESULTS
Use of ephedrine-saline nasal wash resulted in significant improvement in symptom scores and peak nasal inspiratory flow rates as compared with placebo (p < or = 0.001). A statistically significant difference between the two groups began in the second week. The effects of treatment lasted for more than 2 weeks after the study, without notable side effects, in most patients.


CONCLUSIONS
A 1% ephedrine-saline nasal wash is an inexpensive and effective treatment for allergic rhinitis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012119:Respiration; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D004809:Ephedrine