Ephedrine-saline nasal wash in allergic rhinitis.

Abstract

Ephedrine nasal wash (0.25% to 1%) was once used in the treatment of sinusitis and other nasal and paranasal symptoms, but there are no reported controlled trials in allergic rhinitis. In a blinded study, 118 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into two groups of 65 and 53 patients, respectively, and administered either a placebo or a 1% ephedrine-saline nasal wash once every 48 hours for a period of 4 weeks. These groups were then crossed over after a 4-week interval, and their weekly symptom scores and peak nasal inspiratory flow rates were monitored. Use of ephedrine-saline nasal wash resulted in significant improvement in symptom scores and peak nasal inspiratory flow rates as compared with placebo (p < or = 0.001). A statistically significant difference between the two groups began in the second week. The effects of treatment lasted for more than 2 weeks after the study, without notable side effects, in most patients. A 1% ephedrine-saline nasal wash is an inexpensive and effective treatment for allergic rhinitis.