Nasal spray for allergies relieves itchy eyes too

Key Points

TIPS TO REMEMBER Veramyst

Just in time for the spring allergy season comes an intranasal steroid spray, fluticasone furoate (Veramyst, GlaxoSmithKline), just approved by the Food & Drug Administration. Fluticasone furoate is a once-daily-dosed nasal spray indicated for the treatment of seasonal and year-round allergy symptoms in adults and children two years of age and older.

Clinical trials of fluticasone furoate involved separate trials for adults and pediatrics. There were six adult trials, which included 768 patients with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis. Three clinical pediatric trials included 795 children with seasonal or perennial rhinitis. Side effects most often reported in the trials included epistaxis (nose bleeds) and nasal ulcerations. In addition, there was a 52-week, placebo-controlled, long-term safety trial conducted. The trial population consisted of 806 adult patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Of the 605 patients receiving fluticasone furoate, 123 patients (20%) reported epistaxis versus 17 patients (8%) in the placebo arm. No patient experienced a nasal septal perforation during this trial.

According to packaging instructions, the pump must be primed before first use, if not used for 30 days, or if the cap has been left off for more than five days. To prime, first shake the contents well and release six test sprays into the air away from the face. Each spray (50 microliters) delivers 27.5 mcg of fluticasone furoate. Adult dosing is two sprays in each nostril once daily. The dose may be titrated for individual patients; however, patients should be kept at the minimum effective dose to minimize side effects. Once symptoms are controlled, the dose should be reduced to one spray in each nostril daily.