title: Double-strength beclomethasone dipropionate (84 micrograms/spray) aqueous nasal spray in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of intranasally administered corticosteroid sprays is an established treatment option for seasonal allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 438 patients with moderate to severe symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis were treated for 4 weeks with double-strength beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) aqueous nasal spray (84 micrograms/spray: BDP-ds), once daily; regular-strength BDP (42 micrograms/spray: BDP-rs), twice daily; high-strength BDP (336 micrograms/spray: BDP-hs), once daily; or placebo. BDP-hs was included as a safety comparison group. All treatments were given as two sprays per nostril.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physician-rated nasal symptom scores were significantly improved in all three active treatment groups compared with those of the placebo group within the initial 3 days of treatment. Improvement was maintained throughout the 4-week treatment period. BDP-ds and BDP-rs were equivalent at all time points. The BDP-ds, BDP-rs, and BDP-hs groups had greater numbers of patients with a good or excellent therapeutic response at end point than the placebo group. All treatments were well-tolerated, and no unexpected adverse events were reported. No effects on laboratory evaluations or vital signs were evident for any treatment group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study show that BDP-ds given once a day and BDP-rs given twice a day in the same total daily dose are comparably safe and effective in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
authors: Allergy Associates Medical Group. Inc., San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: B M
authors: BM
authors: Prenner
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Chervinsky
authors: F C
authors: FC
authors: Hampel
authors: W C
authors: WC
authors: Howland
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lawrence
authors: E O
authors: EO
authors: Meltzer
authors: Z M
authors: ZM
authors: Munk
authors: P H
authors: PH
authors: Ratner
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Seltzer
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Settipane
authors: R R
authors: RR
authors: Lorber
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002744:Chlorpheniramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D002744:Chlorpheniramine; D001507:Beclomethasone