A System of Rhinomanometry in the Clinical Evaluation of Nasal Decongestants

The utility of an anterior rhinomanometric method for the assessment of decongestant drug activity is illustrated with representative clinical data. Controlled studies employing topical nasal spray, nasal inhaler, and oral syrup formulations were conducted under single- or double-blind conditions in patients with allergic or coryzal rhinitis. The method provided an objective means to distinguish active from placebo (vehicle) treatments and to discriminate differences in decongestant activity between two active formulations. Furthermore, objectively determined increases in nasal patency paralleled the patients' subject-ve perception of improved airflow. In conclusion, this rhinomanometric methodology provided objective confirmation of drug activity with orally-administered, inhaled, and topically-applied decongestant drug formulations.