Table 3 Overview of pharmacologic treatment options for allergic rhinitis

Oral antihistamines (second generation)

Cetirizine (Reactine)

1-2 tablets (5 mg) once daily

1 tablet (10 mg) once daily

5-10 mL (1-2 teaspoons) once daily (children’s formulation)

Desloratadine (Aerius)

1 tablet (5 mg), once daily

2.5-5 mL (0.5-1.0 teaspoon) once daily (children’s formulation)

Fexofenadine (Allegra)

1 tablet (60 mg) every 12 hours (12-hour formulation)

1 tablet (120 mg), once daily (24-hour formulation)

Not currently indicated for children under 12 years of age

Loratadine (Claritin)

1 tablet (10 mg), once daily

5-10 mL (1-2 teaspoons) once daily (children’s formulation)

Intranasal corticosteroids

Beclomethasone (Beconase)

1-2 sprays (42 µg/spray) EN, twice daily

1 spray (42 µg/spray) EN, twice daily

Budesonide (Rhinocort)

2 sprays (64 μg/spray) EN, once daily or 1 spray EN, twice daily

2 sprays (64 μg/spray) EN, once daily or 1 spray EN, twice daily (do not exceed 256 μg)

Ciclesonide (Omnaris)

2 sprays (50 µg/spray) EN, once daily

Not indicated for children under 12 years of age

Fluticasone furoate (Avamys)

2 sprays (27.5 µg/spray) EN, once daily

1 spray (27.5 µg/spray) EN, once daily

Fluticasone propionate (Flonase)

2 sprays (50 µg/spray) EN, once daily or every 12 hours (for severe rhinitis)

1-2 sprays (50 µg/spray) EN, once daily

Mometasone furoate (Nasonex)

2 sprays (50 µg/spray) EN, once daily

1 spray (50 µg/spray) EN, once daily

Triamcinolone acetonide (Nasacort)

2 sprays (55 µg/spray) EN, once daily

1 spray (55 µg/spray) EN, once daily

Leukotriene receptor antagonists

Montelukast

1 tablet (10 mg), once daily

Not currently approved for patients under 15 years of age