Two-week comparison study of olopatadine hydrochloride nasal spray 0.6% versus azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray 0.1% in patients with vasomotor rhinitis

Olopatadine hydrochloride nasal spray 0.6% (OLO) and azelastine nasal spray 137 micrograms (AZE) are effective in treating allergic rhinitis and AZE is indicated for nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis (VMR). This study evaluates the relative safety and efficacy of OLC) and AZE in patients with VMR. This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study compared OLO (an investigational use) with AZE over 14 days in patients (n=129) >= 12 years of age with chronic VMR. Efficacy included the severity of nasal symptom scores. Safety included adverse events (AEs) and nasal examinations. Patient perceptions of treatment satisfaction and changes in allergy condition were determined using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication and Patient Global Assessment scores. In the OLO and AZE groups, reflective scores for individual nasal symptoms (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, postnasal drip, and sneezing) and total nasal VMR symptom scores decreased significantly front baseline to day 14 (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed (p>0.05). No serious AEs were reported in either group. Overall, 22 and 20 AEs were reported in the OLO and AZE groups, respectively. The most common AE was taste disturbance, reported by three (5.3%) and six (10.3%) patients in the OLO and AZE groups, respectively. Patients in both groups reported similar treatment satisfaction scores and a majority of patients in both groups perceived an overall improvement in their rhinitis condition. OLO has a similar efficacy and safety profile to AZE for the management of VMR in patients >= 12 years of age. (Allergy Asthma Proc 32:151-158, 2011; doi: 10.2500/aap.2011.32.3439)