ALLERGIC rhinitis (AR) is a common, non-infectious inflammatory condition of the nasal mucosa, affecting over 500 million people globally. It is driven by an IgE-mediated immune response to allergens, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, and rhinorrhoea. While not life-threatening, AR can severely impact quality of life and mental well-being, and if left untreated, may progress to asthma, sinusitis, or otitis media.
Current treatments include nasal glucocorticoids and antihistamines, yet specific therapeutic combinations are not consistently recommended. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of combining mometasone furoate, a topical nasal glucocorticoid, with loratadine, a long-acting antihistamine, in treating AR.
The combination therapy demonstrated a significantly higher response rate (98.28%) compared to loratadine alone (87.93%), with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 9. Notable symptom improvements included reductions in nasal obstruction, sneezing, and runny nose by over 80%, surpassing the minimum clinically important difference threshold. Inflammatory markers such as IgE, IL-6, and TGF-β1 also decreased significantly, while IL-10 levels showed a distinct regulatory pattern, suggesting dual anti-inflammatory effects.
Safety outcomes were favourable, with comparable adverse reaction rates between groups (8.62% vs. 17.24%; P = 0.166). Common side effects included mild sore throat, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Despite limitations such as a small sample size and short follow-up duration, the study provides strong evidence supporting the combined use of loratadine and mometasone furoate in moderate-to-severe AR. The results suggest improved symptom control and systemic inflammation reduction without compromising safety.
Future large-scale, randomised studies are recommended to confirm these findings and explore adjunct therapies like nasal irrigation. Nonetheless, this study marks a step forward in personalised AR treatment strategies, highlighting the potential of combination therapy to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.
Reference
Yong H et al. Efficacy and safety of combined loratadine and mometasone furoate therapy in allergic rhinitis patients. Front Immunol. 2025;16:1560295.
