Intranasal Capsicum spray in idiopathic rhinitis: a randomized prospective application regimen trial.

CONCLUSION

Local Capsicum oleous nasal spray, 4 microg/puff three times a day for 3 consecutive days, is an efficacious and safe treatment for idiopathic rhinitis (IR). Furthermore, being a natural product, Capsicum oleous nasal spray may be readily available for patients.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different therapeutic regimens of Capsicum oleous nasal spray in IR.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A total of 208 patients affected by IR were enrolled in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Diagnosis of IR was made on the basis of history of nasal obstruction, sneezing and/or rhinorrhoea and after exclusion of other nasal/paranasal anatomic disorders. IR patients were randomized into four groups (groups A, B, and C) receiving increasing doses of Capsicum (1, 2 or 4 microg/puff, respectively) and one group (group D) treated with placebo. Capsicum oleous nasal spray, one puff per nostril, was instilled three times a day at 30 min intervals for 3 consecutive days. Pre- and post-treatment nasal symptoms were evaluated with a daily record chart.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in the frequency of IR symptom was noticed in group C (4 microg/puff, three times a day for 3 consecutive days) vs controls (p=0.003). No significant difference in side effects was recorded in patients receiving Capsicum therapy with respect to controls.