A Cheaper Nasal Spray for Stuffy Noses? Doctors Say It Works!

Good news for allergy sufferers! Malaysian investigators have found that a locally made generic nasal spray works just as well as the original brand in relieving symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion in adults with allergic rhinitis.

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

FIRST, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Allergic rhinitis, often abbreviated as AR and known as ‘hay fever’ in Western countries, is the inflammation of the nose that occur after exposure to allergens in the air.

• The allergens that can trigger AR can vary from person to person, but they can be pollen, dander, dust mites, and more.
• When a susceptible person inhales the allergens, their immune system assumes that the allergens are a threat and responds by triggering an inflammation to combat these allergens.

It is this inflammation that cause the symptoms of AR to manifest.

Common Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

• Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose.
• Breathing difficulties in more severe cases.
• Itching in the nose, throat, and eyes.
• Red or watery eyes.
• Headaches, sinus pressure, and dark circles under one’s eyes.
• Mucous in your nose and throat, often accompanied by sore throat.
• General tiredness.

A NASAL SPRAY TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION IN THE NOSE

Mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS for short) has long been used to reduce inflammation in the nose caused by seasonal or, in the case of Malaysia, year-round allergies.

It is also used to treat nasal polyps.

In Malaysia, MFNS is classified as a Group C poison in the Poisons Act of the Ministry of Health.

Therefore, one should first consult a doctor or a pharmacist to find out more about the spray and whether they would benefit from using it.

GENERIC MOMETASONE FUROATE NASAL SPRAY IS NOW AVAILABLE

The patent for MFNS patent ended in December 2017, which opened up the opportunity for other pharmaceutical companies to produce generic versions of such spray.

Does the Generic Version Work Just as Well?

To find the answer to this question, a randomized, double-blind trial was conducted by a team of investigators from the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

• 163 participants were given either the original MFNS brand, a locally made generic brand, and a placebo for over a period of 4 weeks.
• These participants were adults aged 18 and above with newly diagnosed mild, moderate-to-severe, intermittent, and persistent AR.

According to the results, published in 2024, the investigators found that:

• The locally made generic brand and the original brand showed similar efficacy in the treatment of AR in adults.
• Users of the locally made generic brand experienced fewer side effects and no adverse effects.

“The generic version of the MFNS may be a viable alternative to its original counterpart, which may be more affordable for developing nations void of national healthcare financing and with patients making high out-of-pocket payments,” the investigators concluded in their paper.

Reference: Gendeh, H.S., Hamizan, A.W., Husain, S., Nawi, A.M., Zahedi, F.D., Megat Ismail, N.F., M. Farit, N.A. (2024). The efficacy of Elonide nasal corticosteroids in managing allergic rhinitis: A randomized, double-blind trial. Journal of clinical medicine, 13(7), 1883. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071883