A comparison of beclomethasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray and sodium cromoglycate nasal spray in the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The prophylactic use of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) aqueous nasal spray was compared with sodium cromoglycate (SCG) nasal spray in the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Eighty-six patients with proven grass pollen sensitivity were given either a BDP or SCG nasal spray to use for six weeks during the hay fever season of 1982. Patients were seen prior to the start of treatment, once during and finally after six weeks therapy. Throughout they kept a daily record of symptoms and medication. Assessments of symptom control showed the BDP to be significantly better than SCG (p less than 0.05). Further analyses, in particular of patients with severe hay fever and days with high pollen counts confirmed the superiority of BDP over SCG in controlling symptoms. It was interesting to note that in study the symptom score correlated best with the pollen counts one day earlier. Additional medication requirements were similar in the two groups. Although the patients' assessments were similar for the two treatments, those of the physician indicated the BDP to be more effective than SCG in preventing or alleviating symptoms. The incidence of side effects was low and similar in both treatment groups. The study indicates that the new BDP aqueous nasal spray is effective and well tolerated by patients with seasonal rhinitis.