Ephedrine-saline nasal wash in allergic rhinitis☆,☆☆,★
Section snippets
Patients
One hundred fifty consecutive patients with allergic rhinitis were selected for this study and subjected to a detailed history and physical examination, estimation of serum IgE levels (by radioimmunoassay), skin prick tests with a battery of common allergens, spirometry (performed with a Flexiflo spirometer [Morgan Instruments Inc., P.K., Andover, Mass]) and peak nasal inspiratory flow rates (PNIFRs) with a Youlten's nasal flowmeter (Clement Clarke International Ltd., London, U.K.).5, 6
The
RESULTS
Before the study, 10 healthy volunteers with no evidence of rhinitis were randomly administered distilled water, saline solution placebo, and ESNW. Each volunteer could identify distilled water as a different medication; however, none could differentiate between placebo and ESNW. As a final test to confirm that the blind was not broken during this study, patients were carefully questioned on completion of phase II; none of the 118 patients could tell the difference between placebo and ESNW.
DISCUSSION
Ephedrine is a noncatechol, phenyl isopropyl amine with a high bioavailability and a long duration of action.7 It may be administered orally (now seldom used) or topically (0.5% to 3% solution as drops) to relieve nasal congestion.7, 8
In this study, a 1% ESNW was evaluated against a placebo and was found to be significantly superior (p ≤ 0.001). Ephedrine, as a vasoconstrictor, is alleged to counteract only one nasal symptom. However, patients were asked to make a global evaluation of symptoms
Acknowledgements
I thank Ms. Varsha for her secretarial assistance during this study.
References (8)
Allergy: an Indian perspective
Indian J Clin Pract
(1994)International consensus report on the diagnosis and management of rhinitis
Allergy
(1994)The displacement method of sinus diagnosis and treatment
(1939)Ephedrine: nasal wash in common nasal symptoms
Indian J Otolaryngol
(1965)
Cited by (0)
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From the Allergy Clinic, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Bombay, India.
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Reprint requests: Wiqar A. Shaikh, MD, Allergy and Asthma Clinic, Shakti Sadan Co-op., Housing Soc Ground Floor "B" Block, Opp. Navjeevan Soc, Lamington Rd., Bombay-400 007, India.
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0091-6749/95 $5.00 + 0 1/1/63839