References
The pharmacology of allergic rhinitis treatments
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR), the most common chronic allergy in Europe, can markedly undermine quality of life. While there are numerous over-the-counter and prescription drug options, treatment can present challenges. Indeed, many people with AR show poor symptom control despite self-medication. This review focuses on the pharmacology of the main drugs used in primary care to treat AR.
Numerous conditions, including cystic fibrosis, some cancers and autoimmune diseases, and nasal septum deviation, can cause rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa) (Scadding et al, 2008), which is characterised by one or more of four symptoms: nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea (‘runny nose’), sneezing, and itching (Dykewicz et al, 2020; Scadding et al, 2017). However, Allergic rhinitis (AR) accounts for about half of rhinitis cases (Bousquet et al, 2020) and is the most common chronic allergic disease in Europe (Bjermer et al, 2019). In some countries, up to half the population has AR (Bousquet et al, 2020).
Rhinitis can arise from several allergic and nonallergic mechanisms (eg infectious and drug-mediated rhinitis) (Bousquet et al, 2020; Dykewicz et al, 2020). For instance, allergic responses to vegetable and animal proteins and certain chemicals as well as non-allergic mechanisms (eg isocyanates, persulfate salts and woods) can cause occupational rhinitis (Bousquet et al, 2020).
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