Beclomethasone dipropionate hydrofluoroalkane for the treatment of allergic rhinitis

ABSTRACT

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common respiratory disease, and its prevalence is increasing all over the world, both in adults and in children. Patients experience symptoms that may negatively impact on physical, social and psychological well-being. Hence, if left untreated, allergic rhinitis may significantly affect quality of life. Under current guidelines, intranasal corticosteroids are considered the most effective drugs and they are recommended as first-line therapy. Among the several corticosteroid intranasal sprays available, beclomethasone dipropionate is one of the most prescribed. Recently, new intranasal hydrofluoroalkane-propelled formulations with little or no impact on the ozone layer have been developed for the treatment of AR. The use of these devices might improve patients’ adherence to treatment, avoiding some of the most common side effects associated with aqueous formulations. This review provides the most recent evidence for the efficacy and safety of beclomethasone dipropionate hydrofluoroalkane nasal aerosol in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

KEYWORDS:

• Beclomethasone dipropionate hydrofluoroalkane
• intranasal corticosteroids
• nasal aerosol
• nasal spray
• allergic rhinitis
• inflammation
• asthma

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Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Key issues

• Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation disease of the nose that may significantly affect quality of life and which worldwide prevalence is continuing to increase.

• Under current guidelines, intranasal steroids are considered the most effective first-line therapy in treating allergic rhinitis.

• Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) is one of the most prescribed glucocorticoids, being utilized for treatment of allergic rhinitis for decades with good efficacy and safety.

• In 2012, BDP hydrofluoroalkane intranasal aerosol spray was introduced for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in subjects aged >12 years.

• BDP hydrofluoroalkane intranasal aerosol is effective in treating symptoms of allergic rhinitis in both seasonal and perennial forms. To date, available results are encouraging, both in the short and long terms, in adults and in the pediatric population.

• Intranasal BDP hydrofluoroalkane represents a specific new topic formulation that may provide additional options for clinicians to better individualize therapy based on patients’ preferences.