Abstract
In this 2-week, randomized, crossover study, ophthalmic solutions of nedocromil sodium 2% and olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% were compared for effectiveness and acceptability in 28 patients with perennial allergic conjunctivitis and previous olopatadine experience. Patients received nedocromil twice daily or olopatadine twice daily for 1 week, then were crossed over to the alternate medication for 1 week. Outcome measures were patient satisfaction (questionnaire), severity of ocular symptoms (daily diary scores), clinical signs (physician assessments), quality of life (questionnaire), and global assessments of effectiveness. Both medications were well accepted. Of the 28 patients, 16 (57.1%) would request a nedocromil prescription, 10 (35.7%) an olopatadine prescription (P =.157); 22 patients (78.6%) would recommend nedocromil to other allergy sufferers, while 18 (64.3%) would recommend olopatadine (P =.480). Light sensitivity scores were significantly lower with nedocromil (P =.0125); other symptom scores were comparable between medications. Both drugs significantly (P< .01) and comparably decreased erythema, conjunctival injection, and overall conjunctival signs from baseline. Comparable improvement also occurred in quality-of-life scores. Both physicians and patients judged nedocromil and olopatadine to be similarly effective in preventing signs and symptoms. Nedocromil sodium 2% is an effective treatment for perennial allergic conjunctivitis. Patients receiving olopatadine can be switched to nedocromil with no loss in efficacy or satisfaction, but with a reduction in cost.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ciprandi G, Buscaglia S, Canonica GW. Management of allergic conjunctivitis.Clin Immunother. 1996;5:374–391.
Corin R. Nedocromil sodium: a review of the evidence for a dual mechanism of action.Clin Exp Allergy. 2000;30:461–468.
Blumenthal M, Casale T, Dockhorn R, et al. Efficacy and safety of nedocromil sodium ophthalmic solution in the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.Am J Ophthalmol. 1992; 113:56–63.
Moller C, Berg IM, Berg T, Kjellman M, Stromberg L. Nedocromil sodium 2% eye drops for twice-daily treatment of allergic conjunctivitis: a Swedish multicentre placebo-controlled study in children allergic to birch pollen.Clin Exp Allergy. 1994;24:884–887.
Kjellman NI, Stevens MT. Clinical experience with Tilavist: an overview of efficacy and safety.Allergy. 1995;50(suppl 21):14–22.
Melamed J, Schwartz RH, Blumenthal MN, Zeitz HJ. Efficacy and safety of nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution b.i.d. in the treatment of ragweed seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.Allergy Asthma Proc. In press.
Leino M, Carlson C, Jaanio E, et al. Double-blind group comparative study of 2% nedocromil sodium eye drops with placebo eye drops in the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.Ann Allergy. 1990;64:398–402.
Juniper EF, Thompson AK, Ferrie PJ, Roberts JN. Validation of the standardized version of the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104:364–369.
Alexander M. Comparative therapeutic studies with Tilavist.Allergy. 1995;50(suppl 21):23–29.
Kremer B, Tundermann A, Goldschmidt O. Onset of action, effectiveness and tolerance of levocabastine and nedocromil in topical therapy of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.Arzneimittelforschung. 1998;48:924–930.
Alexander M, Rosen LJ, Yang WH. Comparison of topical nedocromil sodium and oral terfenadine for the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.Clin Ther. 1999;21:1900–1907.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alexander, M., Allegro, S. & Hicks, A. Efficacy and acceptability of nedocromil sodium 2% and olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% in perennial allergic conjunctivitis. Adv Therapy 17, 140–147 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02853155
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02853155