Advances in the management of allergic rhinitis: clinical relevance of the mometasone furoate–olopatadine association and the challenge of patient self-diagnosis and self-treatment

Allergic rhinitis is a highly prevalent inflammatory disease that significantly impairs sleep, daily functioning and quality of life, with symptoms increasingly amplified by environmental changes such as prolonged pollen seasons and urban pollution. Despite effective therapies, many patients remain poorly controlled due to delayed diagnosis, inappropriate self-selection of over-the-counter medications, limited adherence and incorrect intranasal technique. The fixed-dose intranasal combination of mometasone furoate and olopatadine addresses these gaps by uniting rapid antihistaminic, mast-cell stabilizing effects with potent, sustained anti-inflammatory activity. Clinical trials demonstrate superior improvement of nasal and ocular symptoms, faster onset of action, and favourable long-term safety compared with monotherapies. Its single-device formulation may enhance adherence and reduce inappropriate polypharmacy, offering a practical, guideline-aligned option for optimizing management of allergic rhinitis and mitigating risks associated with patient self-treatment.