Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients ≥6yrs old and perennial allergic rhinitis in patients ≥12yrs old.
Pharmacology:
Omnaris is an alcohol-free, hypotonic suspension formulation of the corticosteroid, ciclesonide, which is administered as a nasal spray that is scent-free and delivers a low spray volume. Following intra-nasal application, ciclesonide is hydrolyzed to its active metabolite, desciclesonide, by esterases in the nasal mucosa.
Corticosteroids have a wide range of effects on various cell types (eg, mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils) and mediators of inflammation (eg, histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines). The precise mechanism(s) of action of ciclesonide in the treatment of allergic rhinitis has not been established.
Clinical trials:
The safety and efficacy of ciclesonide nasal spray was evaluated in four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in adults and adolescents with allergic rhinitis. Three studies, which were 2–6 weeks in duration, included 1524 patients 12–86 years of age with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis. Treatment with ciclesonide 200mcg once daily resulted in statistically significantly greater decreases in total nasal symptom scores (runny nose, nasal itching/congestion, sneezing) than treatment with placebo.
Other studies showed that the significant effects of ciclesonide 200mcg/day were maintained over the 24-hour dosing interval. Onset of effect was seen within 24–48 hours, with further symptomatic improvement seen over 1–2 weeks in seasonal allergic rhinitis, and over 5 weeks in perennial allergic rhinitis.
In a 2-week study involving children 6–11yrs old, ciclesonide 200mcg/day was shown to be statistically significantly different from placebo in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis; the 100mcg/day dose was not statistically significantly different from placebo. In a 12-week study, none of the ciclesonide doses were statistically significantly different from placebo in patients 6–11yrs old with perennial allergic rhinitis.
Adults:
2 sprays in each nostril once daily (200mcg/day).
Children:
Seasonal allergic rhinitis: <6yrs: not recommended. ≥6yrs: 2 sprays in each nostril once daily (200mcg/day).
Precautions:
Respiratory tract tuberculosis. Infections (eg, ocular herpes simplex). Unhealed nasal wounds. If adrenal suppression exists following systemic corticosteroid therapy, replacement with topical steroids may exacerbate symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. If exposed to measles or chickenpox, consider immunoglobulin prophylactic therapy. Reevaluate if no improvement after 2 weeks (for seasonal allergic rhinitis) and 5 weeks (for perennial allergic rhinitis). Monitor for growth suppression in children. Monitor for hypercorticism and HPA axis suppression (if occur discontinue gradually), and for candida infection and other nasal mucosal changes. Monitor for vision changes or if history of glaucoma or cataracts. Avoid eyes. Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers.