Inert Cellulose Powder in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Objective: To assess efficacy and safety of inert cellulose powder (ICP) in the treatment of mild seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Methods: An observational, non-randomized, open study including 74 examinees suffering from mild SAR was conducted. The study subjects were divided in two groups, Group 1 (G1) and Group 2 (G2). The study subjects from G1 were treated 10 days with oral cetirizine and ICP, while the study subjects from G2 were treated 10 days only with oral cetirizine. The treatment outcomes were evaluated after five and 10 days by self-assessment of the symptoms on a five-point scale. Results: In both groups improvement of the symptoms five and 10 days after the treatment was registered. There was significantly higher prevalence of the G1 study subjects in the point 4 (“major relief, casual sneezing”) five days after beginning of the treatment (43.2% vs. 18.9%; P<0.05), as well as in the point 5 (“complete relief, without symptoms”) at the end of the treatment (56.7% vs. 27.0%; P<0.05). A low frequency of adverse effects was registered among examinees of both groups. Conclusion: The results obtained indicated high efficacy and safety of ICP in the treatment of mild SAR.