Spring Allergies

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Increased eosinophils

During natural allergen exposure,12

Eosinophils, key inflammatory cells in allergic rhinitis, increased with pollen count and symptom severity.

Leukotrienes, which are released by key upper airway inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, increase as well as play an important role in contributing to allergic rhinitis symptoms.

Study objective: To explore nasal mucosa cellular responses in patients with allergic rhinitis during natural allergen exposure during the spring allergy season.

Eosinophils

Symptoms includeda:

  • Congestion
  • Rhinorrhea
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal itching

aMeasured as the sum of symptom scores (0–4 scale).

1) Pollen count
From the first measurement, pollen count increased.

Pollen Count Graph

2) Eosinophils, 1%
Increases with pollen count correlated with increases in eosinophils.

Eosinophils Graph

3) Symptom scores
As eosinophils increased, symptom severity increased.

Graph of Seasonal Allergy Symptoms Scores = Period when graphed variables reached their peak (May 5-8).

The effect of SINGULAIR® (montelukast sodium) on eosinophils in nasal lavage fluid has not been studied.
The clinical relevance of these observations is unknown.

Study Design: Ten patients enrolled in the study had a history of strictly seasonal allergic nasal disease during May, which was confirmed by a positive skin-prick test to birch-pollen allergen, without any bronchial or dermal allergic manifestations. Patients were followed before (symptom free), during, and to the height of the birch-pollen season by means of repeated samplings. Symptoms were measured as the sum of scores or nasal itching, congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing (0–4 scale).12

Adapted with permission from Pipkorn et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1988;82:1046–1054; Copyright 1988, The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Adapted with permission from Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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SINGULAIR is indicated for relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children aged 2 years and older and perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children aged 6 months and older).

Important Information

In clinical trials, SINGULAIR was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of placebo. Adverse events varied by age. The most commonly reported adverse events, occurring at a frequency of >1% and at an incidence greater than placebo, regardless of causality assessment, were sinusitis, upper respiratory infection, sinus headache, cough, epistaxis, headache, otitis media, pharyngitis, and increased ALT.

SINGULAIR is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any component of this product.

Before prescribing SINGULAIR, please read the Prescribing Information.

20753522(1)-09/08-SNG

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