Tailor made therapy for allergic rhinitis

The main symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) sound harmless – watery rhinorrhoea, sneezing, itching of the mucosal lining, nasal obstruction along with watery, red and swollen eyes, but for many affected people these symptoms are not only irritating but debilitating and restrictive to their day-today activities such as sleep, work productivity, school performance, and leisure activities, particularly if they not only suffer from these annoying symptoms for just a few days, but the whole year round. Left untreated, the inflammation may develop into asthma. Treatment guidelines recommend different classes of medication to treat this complex inflammatory disease of different genesis and severity, including intra-nasal steroids, local cromoglycates, local or oral non-sedative H1-blockers, intra-nasal or oral decongestants and immunotherapy1. Treatment should focus on symptomatic therapy and on controlling the underlying inflammation with the use of antiinflammatory agents. However, with regard to patient compliance and the concurrent improvement of the quality of life, practical aspects and patient needs should also be considered in the management of AR. Above all, patients wish for rapid and uncomplicated assistance that helps them forget their allergy. Azelastine (Allergodil®, Lastin®, Afluon®) nasal spray provides a tailor-made therapy. It is a quick, efficient and well-tolerated treatment option for alleviating symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis that may be taken on an as-needed basis.