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| |  Patient Preference Study Reveals New Nasal Spray Is Preferred BOSTON, Nov. 11, 1996 -- A new clinical study presented here today indicates that Nasacort(R)AQ (triamcinolone acetonide) is superior to Claritin(R) (loratadine) in reducing nasal allergy symptoms and that patients treated with the new nasal spray experienced a greater quality of life than those taking Claritin. A separate preference study reveals that Nasacort AQ is preferred by patients over Flonase(TM) (fluticasone propionate) and Beconase(R)AQ (beclomethasone dipropionate, monohydrate). The data were presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology. Nasacort AQ, a new once-daily, odorless, taste-free, water-based formulation of the active ingredient triamcinolone acetonide, is indicated for the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis symptoms in patients 12 years of age and older. "When treating allergic rhinitis, it's important not only to have medications that work, but medications that patients like and will take," said David Skoner, MD, a practicing allergist and immunologist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh. " Nasacort AQ vs. Claritin In a four-week, double-blind, multicenter study, 351 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) were randomized to treatment with either Nasacort AQ or Claritin and recorded the severity of their nasal and ocular symptoms on daily diary cards. While both groups reported improvement as early as day one, statistical analysis of the data revealed that Nasacort AQ was significantly more effective than Claritin in reducing nasal congestion, runny nose, nasal itch and sneezing. Improvement in ocular symptoms was not significantly different between the groups. The same group of 351 patients also rated their quality of life (activity, emotions, practical problems, eye and nasal symptoms, sleep, non-hay fever symptoms) prior to and during treatment. At day 14, Nasacort AQ patients reported a significantly better quality of life in activity, emotions, nasal symptoms, practical problems and overall quality of life. At day 28, those patients maintained a better quality of life over Claritin-treated patients in activity, nasal symptoms, practical problems and overall quality of life. Both drugs were well tolerated by patients and no clinically significant adverse events were reported. Patients Prefer the Taste and Odor of Nasacort AQ Over Flonase and Beconase AQ In a separate study, 94 allergic rhinitis patients compared Nasacort AQ, Beconase AQ and Flonase in a double-blind, randomized crossover study at two sites. Blindfolded patients rated their sensory perceptions using a 100-point scale to evaluate the strength and liking of odor, strength and liking of taste, sneezing urge, comfort of use, run-off, irritation and moistness in the nose and throat. Results showed that patients preferred the taste and the odor of Nasacort AQ over Beconase AQ or Flonase. In addition, Nasacort AQ was chosen by patients over Flonase in overall preference. There were no significant differences among the drugs tested on the following parameters: comfortable to take, medicine runoff, irritation, strength of urge to sneeze, strength of taste and strength of bitter taste. In previous clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects of Nasacort AQ Nasal Spray versus vehicle placebo were sore throat (5.1% and 3.6%, respectively), nose bleed (2.7% and 0.8%, respectively), and increase in cough (2.1% and 1.5%, respectively). Nasacort AQ is manufactured and marketed by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc. (NYSE: RPR), a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving human health. Claritin(R) is a registered trademark of Schering-Plough Flonase(TM) is a trademark of Glaxo Wellcome Beconase(R)AQ is a registered trademark of Glaxo Wellcome
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