Efficacy and Safety of Fluticasone Furoate and Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray: A Novel First Fixed Dose Combination for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis with Nasal Congestion
RS Kumar, Manish Kumar Jain, Jitendra Singh Kushwaha, Santosh Patil, Vasanti Patil, Soumya Ghatak, Jayesh Sanmukhani, Ravindra Mittal
Abstract
Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of a fixed dose combination of Fluticasone Furoate and Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Nasal Spray 27.5/50 mcg (FDC) with Fluticasone Furoate Nasal Spray 27.5 mcg (Fluticasone) in the management of allergic rhinitis. Patients and Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, two-arm, active-controlled, parallel, multicenter, comparative clinical study was conducted in patients with allergic rhinitis aged 18 years and above having moderate-to-severe nasal congestion. Results: A total of 250 patients were randomized (1:1) to receive either the FDC or Fluticasone alone in a dose of two sprays in each nostril once daily at night. There was a significantly ( P < 0.001) greater reduction in night-time Total Nasal Symptom Score with the FDC as compared to Fluticasone at all the time points starting from as early as day 3 and sustained till the end of treatment (Day 28) (Day 3: − 3.1 vs − 2.2; Day 7: − 4.0 vs − 3.4; Day 14: − 5.7 vs − 5.0; Day 28: − 7.0 vs − 6.4). A significantly greater number of patients ( P < 0.05) had complete relief in Nasal Congestion with the FDC (44.7%) as compared to Fluticasone (26.8%). Both the study medications were well tolerated by all the patients. The proportion of patients showing worsening of symptoms (rebound congestion/rhinitis medicamentosa) after stoppage of medication was similar in both groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: The FDC was superior to Fluticasone alone in relieving the nasal congestion and reduction of Total Nasal Symptom Score in allergic rhinitis patients with moderate-to-severe nasal congestion when administered once daily in the evening. Oxymetazoline when used along with the nasal steroid in a once daily dose does not cause rebound congestion and rhinitis medicamentosa even after long-term continuous use of 28 days. Keywords: Fluticasone Furoate, oxymetazoline, nasal spray, allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion