PROFILE OF INTRANASAL CORTICOSTEROIDS IN ITALY: SAFETY, COST/EFFECTIVENESS, LOCAL AND SYSTEMIC ADVERSE EFFECTS.

Background: Allergic Rhinitis is a common and often debilitating disease that affect, nowadays, not only young people. For this reason an effective treatment is necessary to minimize the impact of allergic rhinitis in general population.Objective: The aim of this review is to inquire intranasal corticosteroids.Results: We have obtained several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, by MEDLINE search. We analyzed the safety profile, the adverse effects described by the authors, the relation between cost/effectiveness. We have made a search for trade profile, dosage and chemical characteristics by on-line handbook.Discussion: Several studies demonstrate that intranasal corticosteroids are more effectiveness in nasal symptoms control than other medications for Allergic Rhinitis. Intranasal corticosteroids are relatively safe, only few studies demonstrated systemic adverse effects. In conclusion, newest corticosteroids (Fluticasone Propionate, Mometasone Furoate, Fluticas one Furoate, Ciclesonide aqueous) are safer than older, probably because of their less bioavailability.