The following PowerPoint presentation presents points of clinical consensus arrived at by participants in a closed meeting held at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, on October 8, 2009, on the role of intranasal antihistamines in the management of allergic rhinitis. The following represents a summary of the experts' presentations, discussions and recommendations.The Consensus Panel held at National Jewish Health focused on the topic - Rethinking the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: The Role of Intranasal Antihistamines: 'Me Too Drugs" or a Novel Class?

The project was chaired by Dr. Rohit Katial, Professor of Medicine, Program Director, Allergy and Immunology, and Director, Weinberg Clinical Research Unit, National Jewish Health. The objectives of this symposium were to: 1) describe the patient's perspective of the burden of allergic rhinitis and unmet needs, 2) discuss the new place of intranasal antihistamines as first-line therapies and compare and contrast this class of medication to the traditionally available medications, 3) discuss the potential for intranasal antihistamines to provide relief superior to second-generation oral antihistamines, and 4) explain how intranasal antihistamines fit into the latest guidelines.

National Jewish Health was honored to have the preeminent leaders in the field contributing to a supplement based on this symposium, including: Rohit Katial, MD; Phil Lieberman, MD; Eli O. Meltzer, MD; Paul H. Ratner, MD; William E. Berger, MD; Michael A. Kaliner, MD; Charles J. Siegel, MD; Don A. Bukstein, MD; Carman A. Ciervo, DO; and Bradley Marple, MD. The supplement will be published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology in the Fall of 2010.

In addition to providing a historical perspective of allergic rhinitis, an overview of histamine mechanism of action, and reviews of current allergic rhinitis therapies, the monograph will also include updated suggested approaches to patient management.

Dr. Katial has also prepared a slide kit which covers the same topic and sections. This information is available for your presentation use. If you have questions contact the Office of Professional Education at 800.444.2305 or 800.423.8891, extension 1000.

Disclosure: The Consensus Panel, and the resulting Consensus Statement and journal supplement were funded through an educational grant from Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc. The commercial supporter was not involved in the content development.

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