Fluticasone furoate nasal spray: A single treatment option for the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis

BackgroundFluticasone furoate (USAN-approved name) is a novel, enhanced-affinity glucocorticoid administered in a unique side-actuated device for the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-daily fluticasone furoate nasal spray, 110 μg, in patients aged 12 years or older with fall SAR.MethodsPatients (n = 299) received fluticasone furoate or placebo for 2 weeks in this double-blind, parallel-group randomized study. Patients evaluated nasal and ocular symptoms using a 4-point categoric scale. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of the mean change from baseline in reflective and instantaneous total nasal symptom scores and reflective total ocular symptom scores.ResultsFluticasone furoate produced significantly greater improvements than placebo in daily reflective total nasal symptom score (−1.473, P < .001; primary end point), morning predose instantaneous total nasal symptom score (−1.375, P < .001), daily reflective total ocular symptom score (−0.600, P = .004), and patient-rated overall response to therapy (P < .001). The onset of therapeutic effect occurred at 8 hours after initial administration. Fluticasone furoate was well tolerated.ConclusionFluticasone furoate, 110 μg once daily, was effective and well tolerated for the treatment of nasal symptoms of SAR in patients aged 12 years and older. Treatment also produced significant improvements in ocular symptoms. Fluticasone furoate was fast acting, as indicated by an 8-hour onset of action, and provided 24-hour symptom control.Clinical implicationsNew treatments for the bothersome symptoms of SAR are needed. One such treatment, fluticasone furoate nasal spray, provides effective relief of the symptom profile of SAR.