title: A pharmacologic continuum in the treatment of rhinorrhea: the clinician as economist.
abstract: The economics of medications are now of great concern to health-care providers. Pharmacoeconomic issues are by no means simple, and yet, ironically, they assume greater importance in prescribing for modest disorders like rhinorrhea than for life-threatening conditions. The therapeutic continuum of quality and cost becomes foreshortened, and safety is an additional concern. Choosing the appropriate medication for rhinorrhea, then, can pose a challenge to the clinician, just as choosing a vital medication. This paper reviews the usage, quality, and cost of major therapies for the rhinorrhea that occurs secondary to various conditions, including nasal steroids, antihistamines and anticholinergics, and discusses the role of the clinician in factoring costs into therapy.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Asthma Medical Group and Research Center, San Diego, CA 92123, USA.
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Meltzer
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Tyrell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D014663:Nasal Decongestants