Scientists from University of Chicago say an inexpensive over-the-counter decongestant is as effective as the costly prescribed drugs for alleviating symptoms of cold and nasal congestion.
The study published Tuesday found that Sudafed 24 Hour, an OTC decongestant, had as much efficacy as Singulair, which is a prescription drug, costing almost four times as much.
The study was conducted in Chicago in 2003 for two weeks on 58 adults during the ragweed season. Thirty of them were given prescription decongestant montelukast sodium (Singulair) of 10 milligrams daily, the remainder took decongestant pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (Sudafed 24 Hour) of 240 milligrams each day.
Dr. Fuad Baroody, an associate professor of surgery and director of the study, said: “This came as a genuine surprise. Our hypothesis was that montelukast would have additional benefits and pseudoephedrine would interfere with sleep. But when we compared them head-to-head, we found that for treatment of allergic rhinitis, these drugs at these doses were virtually identical.”
Also, it was found that pseudoephedrine scored over montelukast by being more effective in alleviating congestion. While Pseudoephedrine costs only about 80 cents per day, montelukast costs around $3.20 per day.
Though they showed similar results, the drugs are differently used. Pseudoephedrine is designed for treating nasal congestion by constricting nasal mucosa vessels. Meanwhile, Montelukast is meant to treat asthma. It reduces leukotrienes, which are substances released during allergic responses, and in the process treats inflammation.
Dr. Neil Gershman who works with the Asthma & Allergy Associates of Florida, said: “I'm not surprised. I would think it would be about the same. Singulair is a drug with modest effects and a very high price tag.”
The study partly funded by Merck & Co., makers of Singulair, was published in an American Medical Association journal. While the detailed report is published in the 'Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery' journal's February issue.
