A 2016 UK study on prescribing patterns suggested that prescribing could be improved for seasonal allergic rhinitis. It assessed allergy prescribing data from 25,069 patients in 2009 and 22,381 patients in 2010. Monotherapy was the initial prescription of the season for 67 per cent of SAR patients and 77 per cent of patients with non-seasonal upper airways disease (NSUAD).

The researchers found that initial oral antihistamine (OAH) or intranasal corticosteroid (INS) monotherapy proved insufficient for more than 20 per cent of SAR patients. Indeed, multiple therapy was the initial prescription for 33 per cent of SAR patients, rising to 45 per cent by the end of the season.

€Initial OAH or INS monotherapy provides insufficient symptom control for many allergic rhinitis patients,€ the study concluded. €GPs often prescribe multiple therapies at the start of the season, with co-prescription becoming more common as the season progresses. However, patients prescribed multiple therapies frequently revisit their GP, presumably to adjust treatment. These data suggest the need for more effective allergic rhinitis treatment and management strategies.€