Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion) today announced the nationwide availability of ZETONNA™ (ciclesonide) Nasal Aerosol, 74 mcg once-daily, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR), also known as hay fever or nasal allergies. ZETONNA is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. It is the only dry nasal aerosol approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with once daily, one spray per nostril (37 mcg) dosing.
“I often hear from my patients that they are dissatisfied with the burden of allergies and are looking for alternative treatment options”
"I often hear from my patients that they are dissatisfied with the burden of allergies and are looking for alternative treatment options," said William E. Berger, M.D., clinical professor with the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of California, Irvine and a practicing allergist in Mission Viejo, California. "Nasal corticosteroids like ZETONNA are efficacious treatments for allergic rhinitis. Now that we have the option of prescribing either an aqueous or dry delivery formulation of this steroid, we have another way of treating our patients' discomfort with allergies which may help them to achieve greater satisfaction."
In three Phase III clinical studies including almost 2,500 adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older, ZETONNA Nasal Aerosol was shown to significantly improve nasal symptoms of SAR and PAR. Additionally, it is the only dry nasal aerosol approved for the treatment of ocular symptoms associated with SAR. The most common adverse events reported were nasal discomfort, headache and nosebleed.
Patients taking ZETONNA reported improved quality of life associated with SAR as measured by the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire with Standardized Activities (RQLQ[S]), which is based upon evaluation of activity limitation, sleep problems, nose symptoms, eye symptoms, non-nose/eye symptoms, practical problems and emotional function.