Nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution for the treatment of ragweed pollen seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and safety of nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution in the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS: A combined analysis of two multicenter, randomized, comparative, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 261 patients diagnosed with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis was used. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either topical 2% nedocromil sodium or placebo twice daily for eight weeks. Diary card scores and clinician assessments of allergic symptoms were recorded throughout the study; efficacy was determined by comparing symptom severity at the peak pollen period with symptom severity at baseline. Clinician and patient evaluations of treatment effectiveness were used as secondary measurements of efficacy. RESULTS: Patients treated with nedocromil sodium experienced improvement in allergy symptoms, with reductions in the summary symptom score, itch, redness, conjunctival injection, and conjunctival edema significantly (p<0.05) greater than those observed in the patients treated with placebo. Clinicians' and patients' opinions of nedocromil sodium treatment effectiveness were significantly (p<0.02) superior to those of placebo treatment effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Nedocromil sodium is effective in the management of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.