(9R)-9-chloro-11-17-dihydroxy-17-(2-hydroxy-1-oxoethyl)-10-13-16-trimethyl-6-7-8-11-12-14-15-16-octahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one and Conjunctivitis

The clinical efficacy and side effect of (1) beclomethasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray, 400 micrograms daily, (2) astemizole, 10 mg daily, and (3) beclomethasone, 400 micrograms, plus astemizole, 10 mg daily, were compared in a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group trial. Ninety adults were matched into groups of three according to sensitivity to ragweed pollen. One of each of the three subjects was assigned to nasal spray alone, one was assigned to astemizole alone, and one subject was assigned to both medications. Medications were started 1 week before and continued daily until 1 week after the ragweed-pollen season (6 weeks). If rhinoconjunctivitis was inadequately controlled with the trial medications, pressurized steroid nasal spray and/or antihistamine-decongestant eye drops were used in the minimum dose that would ensure relief. Nose and eye symptoms and concomitant medication use were recorded daily in a diary. Sneezing, nasal obstruction, and rhinorrhea were significantly better, and less additional nasal spray was used in subjects taking beclomethasone alone than in subjects taking astemizole alone. Beclomethasone plus astemizole provided no better control of rhinitis than beclomethasone alone. Eye symptoms and eye drop use tended to be less in subjects taking astemizole alone than in subjects taking beclomethasone alone, but the best control of eye symptoms was recorded in the subjects taking both trial medications. Side effects were mild or transient.

Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Astemizole; Beclomethasone; Benzimidazoles; Conjunctivitis; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance; Pollen; Random Allocation

The clinical potency of budesonide, a new glucocorticosteroid, was compared in a randomized double-blind study with beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis during the ragweed-pollen season. Sixty-one subjects were matched according to their skin sensitivity to ragweed-pollen extract and the severity of ragweed-induced rhinitis during the previous season. Thirty subjects received budesonide, and 31 received beclomethasone dipropionate, 50 micrograms per actuation. A double-dummy technique was used to achieve blinding, since the aerosol canisters and adaptors were dissimilar. Subjects were instructed to keep rhinitis well controlled by starting intranasal trial medication as soon as symptoms became troublesome, two puffs into each nostril, when it was needed, up to four times per day. If this became inadequate, subjects received supplementary chlorpheniramine maleate, 4 mg. Nasal symptoms (none = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2, and severe = 3) and all medication use were recorded daily in a diary. Budesonide demonstrated better clinical potency than beclomethasone in that less was needed to maintain good control of nasal symptoms. Side effects were mild and transient for both groups.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Beclomethasone; Budesonide; Conjunctivitis; Cough; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pregnenediones; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

From the start of the Astemizole clinical investigations, until now the results of 39 trials including more than 2300 patients are available. These results show that Astemizole is an effective and safe Histamine-H1-antagonist for the therapy of hayfever, chronic allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, chronic urticaria and allergic bronchitis in adults and children. Astemizole was superior to placebo and the classical antihistamines like Clemastine, Terfenadine, Ketotifen, Mequitazine, pheniramine and Chlorphenamine.

Topics: Astemizole; Beclomethasone; Benzimidazoles; Bronchitis; Clinical Trials as Topic; Conjunctivitis; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Urticaria