A New Drug for Chronic Sinusitis?
May 07, 2016
Chronic sinusitis is often counted among the most painful of long-term conditions, affecting patients’ ability to smell, hear, think, and sleep. Since most OTC medications are ineffective against this chronic disorder, many patients eventually turn to sinus surgery for lasting remedies.
But recent reports suggest that a new medicine may relieve chronic sinusitis. Called Dupilumab, it was originally marketed as a salve for auto-immune issues including asthma and eczema. But JAMA now says it may be unusually good at treating sinusitis too:
They found that dupilumab treatment was associated with significant improvements in both quality of life and major symptoms, such as subjective sense of smell, nasal obstruction or congestion, and nocturnal awakenings. The study also suggests this treatment could delay or reduce surgical intervention among patients whose symptoms persist despite treatment.
As always, we are keeping an eye on the most advanced sinus care options in the world, and will not hesitate to offer this promising new possibility if it earns full FDA approval after some careful testing.
Until then, surgery for sinusitis remains the best bet for lasting relief.