Steroid Nasal Spray Works Better Than Oral Antihistamine

In a research conducted by the team of Dr. Robert Naclerio of the University of Chicago found out that steroid nasal spray is more effective than the usual inhaled corticosteroids and antihistamine in treating seasonal allergies.

The researchers compared the effectiveness of fluticasone (Flonase),a corticosteroid nasal spray, with loratadine (Claritin),a nonsedating antihistamine, for treating ragweed allergy on an as-needed basis. The team found out that participants who used the inhaled steroid experienced significantly fewer allergy symptoms and reported less impact on their quality of life than those who took the antihistamine.

From Bio-Medicine:

Researchers say that a steroid nasal spray may relieve seasonal allergy symptoms better than an oral antihistamine.

During the four-week study, 88 participants took either the steroid nasal spray or antihistamine on an as-needed basis. They kept a daily diary of their allergy symptoms and completed a quality-of-life questionnaire.

Researchers looked for chemical evidence of allergic reaction, such as eosinophils, in participants' blood. Eosinophils are white blood cells involved in defending the body from allergens. For best results, experts generally recommend that you use either an inhaled steroid or an antihistamine on a continuous, long-term basis.

But the researchers point out that most people tend to wait until symptoms appear before taking allergy medications. This may be one reason for the superiority of the steroid nasal spray in the study. Unlike inhaled corticosteroids, antihistamines like Claritin are not very effective in blocking the allergic response once it has begun.

Although antihistamine and inhaled corticosteroids are the usual treatments given to relieve allergic symptoms, researchers claim that these treatments are less effective in addressing the condition. These treatments are found to be ineffective in treating allergic symptoms especially if they have started to manifest. The team suggests that steroid nasal spray should only be used on an as needed basis.