Highlights

Highlights

Drug Approvals

• In 2006, the FDA approved a generic version of the nasal steroid spray fluticasone (Flonase).
• In 2005, montelukast (Singulair) was approved for relief of indoor allergies. The drug was previously approved to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Quality of Life

Allergy symptoms negatively affect many patients’ quality of life, according to a survey of over 2,500 patients with allergic rhinitis. Patients reported that nasal allergy symptoms made them:

• Tired (80%)
• Miserable (65%)
• Irritable (62%)
• Perform more poorly on their job or miss work (52%)

Research

• The nonprescription nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) controls allergic rhinitis symptoms just as well as the prescription drug montelukast (Singulair), suggests a small study published in the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery.
• The asthma drug omalizumab (Xolair) may help reduce the side effects of allergy shots (immunotherapy) when patients receive it before and during immunotherapy, according to a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
• As an alternative to allergy shots, patients in Europe and South America sometimes receive immunotherapy given by mouth (oral) or sublingual (under the tongue). But, according to research presented at the 2006 meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), there is not yet enough evidence to recommend this practice.

Preventing Outdoor Allergies

The ACAAI recommends these tips:

• Start taking allergy medications 1 or 2 weeks before ragweed season begins.
• Take allergy medications before going outdoors.
• Avoid spending lots of time outside during peak allergy seasons.
• Wear a particle mask when mowing or raking to prevent pollen from getting in mouth and nose.
• Wear sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting in eyes.
• After coming inside, bathe and wash your hair and clothes. Rinsing your nose with a salt water rinse can also help remove pollen.