Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis: position of a clinical pharmacologist

Abstract

Pharmacotherapy for allergic rhinitis is based on different categories of drugs used either in monotherapy or in combination regimens. The current clinical guidelines suggest a stepwise approach to pharmacotherapy for allergic rhinitis. The use of intranasal corticosteroids is considered as the preferred second-stage pharmacotherapy. Inadequate control of AR symptoms in first-line therapy is a common problem. Integrated care pathways (ICP), developed taking into account the data obtained about patients using a mobile application, suggest the use of intranasal corticosteroids as the first line of therapy, including in patients with intermittent rhinitis who have not previously received treatment when assessing the condition according to the VAS for more than 5 points, in patients who received earlier treatment when assessing the condition according to the VAS less than 5 points. According to the data in the medical decision support system and continuing medical education UpToDate, inhaled corticosteroids are considered as the first-line drugs for the pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. In terms of pharmacodynamic efficacy, intranasal corticosteroids are comparable to each other. The selection criteria can be considered: the value of systemic absorption; lipophilicity; the start time of the action; frequency of introduction, organoleptic properties; the possibility of influencing non-nasal symptoms. The use of sprays containing both a glucocorticoid and an antihistamine (mometasone furoate/azelastine hydrochloride) opens up additional pharmacotherapeutic possibilities in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.