The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK has granted marketing authorization to Meda Pharmaceuticals' nasal spray formulation Dymista for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis (AR).
Dymista is indicated for patients 12 years of age and older who require treatment with both azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate for symptomatic relief.
The new nasal spray was proven to provide symptomatic relief in the nose and eyes up to six days faster than existing first-line therapies.
Allergy UK clinical services director Maureen Jenkins said: "People often think of hay fever as a 'nuisance' condition, causing little more than a runny nose and itchy eyes. Unfortunately, the reality is hay fever and allergic rhinitis can have a prolonged impact on quality of life by stopping people sleeping, working, studying and even carrying out simple everyday tasks. Many people cannot control these symptoms, despite the wide range of treatments available."
Dymista, which was also approved by European Medicines Agency in February 2013, is slated to be available in the UK in the coming months, with further approvals in other EU countries due shortly.
