Preventing tolerance to oxymetazoline in allergic rhinitis version 1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A proof of concept study to evaluate if concomitant topical intranasal steroid prevents tolerance and rebound congestion due to regular oxymetazoline in persistent allergic rhinitis

• Contact name

  S Vaidyanathan

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Dundee

• Eudract number

  2007-003291-19

• Research summary

  Over the counter decongestants nasal sprays are used often by patients with allergic rhinitis. There are concerns that overuse of these can lead to a condition of reduced efficacy called tolerance with a rebound nasal blockage on stopping them, leading to a vicious cycle of repeated use. In our research and clinical experience, we have found a potential benefit of using nasal steroid sprays to counter this tolerance effect. The main objective of this study is to see the onset of this tolerance and its prevention by nasal steroid. We will conduct a randomised double blind study crossover study, where participants and researchers will both be unaware of treatments and subjects will be randomly assigned to treatments using a computer generated sequence. The measurements will primarily include nasal airflow and nasal blood flow using non invasive techniques. The study will have 9 visits including the screening visit to determine eligibility. Visits will last for a maximum of 3 hours and the study will not exceed 100 days. The study will be carried out in Tayside and is a non-commercial academic study funded entirely by the departmental resources of the Asthma and Allergy Research Group which is part of the University of Dundee, who will sponsor this research. This study will potentially provide further information about the protective effects of nasal steroids and whether nasal decongestants can be used longterm safely. The results of this study will be presented at a scientific meeting and published in a medical journal.

• REC name

  East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1

• REC reference

  08/S1401/95

• Date of REC Opinion

  31 Oct 2008

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion