Treatment of allergic rhinitis: H1-antihistamines and intranasal steroids.

Allergic rhinitis is charterized as an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. In clinical practice, H(1)-antihistamines and topical corticosteroids are most commonly used pharmacological agents for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The beneficial effects of steroids depend upon their long-term anti-inflammatory effect rather than upon direct receptor antagonism. This is different to H(1)-antihistamines, which block both neural and vascular H(1) receptors and have a clinical effect on symptoms such as nasal itching, sneezing, and rhinorrhea. H(1)-antihistamines are rapidly absorbed and most of them are metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P system and begin to reduce nasal symptoms (itching and sneezing) within one hour. Understanding of both the efficacy and the pharmacological properties of these commonly used drugs in the treatment of nasal allergic inflammation and its related nasal symptoms is very important. From a clinical viewpoint, it will provide a useful guideline for an appropriate use of these drugs.