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Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroids and Antihistamines in Allergic Rhinitis

A Review of Randomized, Controlled Trials

  • Review Article
  • Published:
American Journal of Respiratory Medicine

Abstract

For several years there has been discussion of whether first-line pharmacological treatment of allergic rhinitis should be antihistamines or intranasal corticosteroids. No well documented, clinically relevant differences seem to exist for individual nonsedating antihistamines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Likewise, the current body of literature does not seem to favor any specific intranasal corticosteroid. When comparing efficacy of antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids in allergic rhinitis, present data favor intranasal corticosteroids. Interestingly, data do not support antihistamines as superior in treating conjunctivitis associated with allergic rhinitis. Safety data from comparative studies in allergic rhinitis do not indicate differences between antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids. Combining antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids in the treatment of allergic rhinitis does not provide additional beneficial effects to intranasal corticosteroids alone.

Considering present data, intranasal corticosteroids seem to offer superior relief in allergic rhinitis, when compared with antihistamines.

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Acknowledgements

The authors have received no funding for the preparation of this manuscript. No possible conflicts of interest directly relevant to the contents of this review exist for either of the authors.

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  1. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Aarhus, The Bartholin Building, Aarhus, DK-8000, Denmark

    Lars P. Nielsen

  2. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    Lars P. Nielsen & Ronald Dahl

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Correspondence to Lars P. Nielsen.

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Nielsen, L.P., Dahl, R. Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroids and Antihistamines in Allergic Rhinitis. Am J Respir Med 2, 55–65 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03256639

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