Decongestion of Nasal Mucous Membranes by Oral Medication in Acute Rhinitis

Abstract

Clinical trials of antihistamines combined with adrenergic substances showed a dccongestive effect on nasal mucosal congestion due to acute rhinitis. Double-blind technique combined with objective rhinomano-meiry over 9 hours in each individual trial showed complete absence of placebo effect; the results were therefore conclusive. Tests on 85 subjects with acute rhinitis as well as tests on 50 normal subjects with histamine-pro-voked nasal blocking support the idea that an antihistamine and an adrenergic substance show synergism with regard to nasal decongestion. Of the drugs tested, clemastine combined with phenylpropanolamine gave the best result.