Definition
In the medical field, the term "rhinitis" refers to an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose: the inflammatory process, with an acute or chronic course, is the consequence of bacterial, viral or irritating insults. Rhinitis should not be underestimated, as it can degenerate into other disorders such as insomnia, learning difficulties and hearing impairment.
Causes
We speak of allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) when exogenous antigens (or allergens) are involved. Non-allergic rhinitis can be caused by immunodeficiency, hormonal changes, emotions, food reactions, stress.
Symptoms
Rhinitis is generally accompanied by halitosis, alteration of the perception of the taste of food, conjunctivitis, fever, headache and cough; the typical symptom of rhinitis is rhinorrhea, the continuous emission of mucus from the nose.
Information on Rhinitis - Rhinitis Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Rhinitis - Rhinitis Treatment Medications.
drugs
For the pharmacological treatment of rhinitis (non-allergic), oral / nasal spray decongestants, anticholinergics and, in case of severity, the use of nasal corticosteroids are particularly recommended. In the presence of allergic rhinitis, the drugs of choice are antihistamines.
Some studies have observed that the applications of drug formulations based on capsaicin in patients suffering from rhinitis, can help the patient to speed up the recovery from the disease; however, there is still not enough evidence that it is fully effective.
Saline spray solutions: the saline solutions (physiological solution: eg Libenar, Naset Spray) help to irrigate and clear the nose of excess mucus, thus proving to be a valid remedy to clean the canal of the breath and soothe the nasal membranes. Moreover, in case of rhinitis, the application of saline solutions, repeated several times during the day, is indicated to attenuate the dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose (rhinitis caused by dust / excessively dry air), maintaining the functionality of the nasal apparatus efficient (air filtration and defense).
Anticholinergic (or antimuscarinic) nasal sprays:
Ipratropium (eg Atem, Breva): although generally indicated to treat asthma, this drug is also available in drops for the treatment of chronic forms of rhinitis - both allergic and non-allergic - in particular for treating rhinorrhea. Two spray applications (42 mcg) are recommended in each nostril, two or three times a day.
Oral decongestants: to be used with caution prior to medical prescription, as they can create unpleasant side effects such as insomnia, hypertension, loss of appetite, palpitations and anxiety. They are used both for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and for the non-allergic form.
- Pseudoefredina (eg. Actifed, Actigrip): pseudo-ephedrine is probably the most widely used drug in therapy as a nasal decongestant, also (but not only) in the context of rhinitis; the drug is used both in combination with other drugs (eg antihistamines, Paracetamol), and in monotherapy. Pseudoephedrine stimulates the release of norepinephrine, thus producing a good constricting effect on blood vessels. Begin therapy by taking 30-60 mg of the drug orally every 4-6 hours, as needed. Continue therapy by taking 120 mg of active twice daily. Do not exceed 240 mg a day. Consult your doctor.
- Phenylephrine (eg Isonephrine, Phenyl CL DYN, Triaminic FLU, Nasomixin CM) take 10-20 mg (1 tablet) of active per os every 4 hours. The drug is also available in the form of oral suspension, chewable tablets, patches, effervescent tablets.
Decongestant nasal sprays : not to be used for more than 4-5 consecutive days: the abuse of these drugs can paradoxically worsen the symptoms, as well as causing insomnia, irritability and headache.
Oximetazoline hydrochloride, 0.025-0.05% solution (eg Vicks sinex, Oxilin, Equimet): apply 4-6 sprays in each nostril twice a day, as needed, for the 0.025% solutions and 2-3 applications for each nostril twice daily for 0.5% solutions.
Nasal spray corticosteroids : indicated in the event of failure to respond to the use of decongestants and antihistamines. The use of corticosteroids is also indicated in cases of non-allergic rhinitis. Don't forget that these drugs can induce nausea, digestive disorders, headaches and joint pains.
- Fluticasone (eg Avamys, Fluspiral, Flixonase, Nasofan) indicated for the treatment of non-allergic rhinitis. Start the treatment by applying two sprays of medication per nostril twice a day (dose per nostril: 50 mcg; total dose: 200 mcg). The dosage can be reduced by half (one spray per nostril once a day) to improve symptoms. Do not exceed 200 mcg per day.
- Mometasone (eg Nasonex, Rinelon): indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Apply two sprays per nostril once a day. The drug is sometimes used to prevent allergic rhinitis: start therapy 2-4 weeks before the pollen season.
Chromoglycated sodium (eg Lomudal Nasal)
This substance, administered via the nose, is the drug of choice for the treatment of rhinitis in children; it is possible to administer sodium cromoglicate even in pregnant women. It is recommended to take the drug (4% solutions) at the dosage of one spray per nostril, 2-4 times a day.
Oral antihistamines: indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis:
- Diphenhydramine (eg. Aliserin, Difeni C FN) indicated, in particular, for infantile allergic rhinitis. Administer a 6.25 mg oral dose every 4-6 hours (do not exceed the 37.5 mg daily dose) for children aged between 2 and 6 years. From 6 to 12 years, it is possible to increase the dose from 12.5 to 25 mg every 4-6 hours (not more than 150 mg per day). From the age of 12, it is possible to administer a dose of drug between 25 and 50 mg every 4-6 hours (do not exceed 300 mg per day).
- Loratadine (eg Loratadine, Fristamin, Clarityn) the recommended dose for treating allergic rhinitis is 10 mg a day. The duration of therapy should be determined by the doctor.
- Desloratadine (Ex. Neoclarityn, Azomyr, Aerius): indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Available in 5 mg tablets, 5 mg dispersible tablets (lyophilised), 2.5-5 mg orosoluble tablets and syrup. Administer 5 mg of active, once a day, with or without food. Some pharmacological preparations are formulated with desloratadine and pseudo-ephedrine (eg Aerinaze), at a dose of 2.5 and 120 mg respectively: the two active ingredients carry out antihistamine and decongestant activity.
Topical antihistamines : indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: Azelastine (eg Lasticom, Allespray): this drug has proved very useful for the control of symptoms related to allergic rhinitis. This active ingredient is considered a cross between a corticosteroid and sodium cromoglycate, being less powerful than the first, but more effective than the latter. Used in the prophylaxis of seasonal allergic rhinitis, treatment can begin as early as three weeks before the start of the pollen period, and should generally last for three months. For the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis it is recommended to spray the drug (0.1%) once or twice per nostril, twice a day. For the treatment of chronic allergic rhinitis, the dosage of the drug (0.15% solution) involves applying two sprays for each nostril, twice a day.
