Triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray and fluticasone propionate are equally effective for relief of nasal symptoms in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Abstract Objective We compared 220 μg daily intranasal aqueous triamcinolone acetonide (TAA AQ) with 200 μg daily fluticasone propionate (FP) for relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms. Study design and setting Randomized, parallel-group, investigator-blind study included patients with symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis. After a baseline period, TAA AQ or FP was taken for about 21 days. Nasal symptom (discharge, stuffiness, itching, sneezing) severity was recorded twice daily; total nasal symptom score was calculated. Health-related quality of life was assessed by Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results Reductions in individual symptoms and total nasal symptom score were statistically significant versus baseline and were equivalent between treatments: −3.15 ± 0.19 with TAA AQ (n = 148) and ∼3.17 ± 0.18 with FP (n = 147) (95% confidence interval for the difference, −0.7391 to 0.3693). Clinically and statistically significant improvements in Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire scores were comparable. Conclusion TAA AQ and FP were equally efficacious in relieving seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms and improving health-related quality of life. Significance Differences in molecular potency of intranasal steroids do not confer differences in efficacy.