Comparative study of sensory attributes of two antihistamine nasal sprays: Olopatadine 0.6% and azelastine 0.1%

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic, allergen-induced inflammatory reaction. Patients often differentiate intranasal treatments based on sensory attributes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensory attributes of olopatadine HCl nasal spray 0.6% (OLO) relative to azelastine HCl nasal spray 0.1% (AZE). This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, crossover comparison of OLO versus AZE in adult, symptomatic patients with at least a 2-year history of allergic rhinitis. Patients received each of the treatments separately with a washout between exposures, evaluated their sensory perceptions immediately after and 45 minutes postdosing with each treatment, and evaluated their perceptions of the two medications after administering both therapies. The mean age of the 110 patients was 42.4 years; 67% were women. OLO was superior to AZE in overall aftertaste (60.6% versus 30.3%; p = 0.0005), patient preference (62.4% versus 33.9%; p = 0.0001), and likelihood of extended use (60.9% versus 34.5%; p = 0.0004). OLO was superior to AZE in perceptions of immediate taste (1.9 U versus 3.2 U, respectively; p < 0.0001). Perceptions of additional attributes after administration of both treatments were significant and favored OLO (p ≤ 0.0036 for all variables). In these assessments, respectively, 54.1 and 32.1% of patients favored the taste and smell of OLO compared with 27.5 and 11.9% who favored AZE. Both treatments were well tolerated. The sensory attributes of OLO are superior to AZE in terms of immediate taste postdosing, overall aftertaste, overall patient preference, and likelihood of use. This outcome could lead to greater patient compliance and improved treatment effect.