Efficacy and tolerance of fluocortin butyl administered twice daily in adult patients with perennial rhinitis

Fluocortin butyl (FCB) is a newly developed corticosteroid drug with no detectable systemic corticosteroid activity when it is used topically. Previous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of FCB applied topically to the nasal mucosa three to four times a day for perennial rhinitis. The therapeutic efficacy of FCB used only twice daily, with total daily dosages similar to those previously found to be effective when these were applied more frequently, was studied in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. This was a 4-week study with a 1-week observation (baseline) period and a 3-week period during which the response to three dosage regimens (2 mg per day, 4 mg per day, and 8 mg per day) of FCB and placebo were compared to baseline observations of rhinitis. Two hundred thirty-five patients from six centers were studied. Patients had perennial rhinitis of allergic, nonallergic, or combined etiology. Patients who received FCB exhibited significant amelioration of signs and symptoms of rhinitis as assessed by patients and physicians and had a greater reduction in the use of concomitant antihistamine and/or decongestant therapy compared to placebo-treated patients. Relief tended to occur early and was progressive during the 3 wk of therapy. There were no significant differences in response between the various dosages of FCB used. Side effects were minimal and insignificant and did not differ between FCB-treated and placebo-treated patients. FCB appears to be an effective well-tolerated topical steroid useful in the treatment of perennial rhinitis.