Abstract: Objective: To observe the effect of azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate nasal spray in treatment of allergic rhinitis. Methods: One hundred and nine patients (mean 35.6 yearslod, ranged from 15 to 76 yearslod) with persistent allergic rhinitis were randomized into mild, moderate or severe groups according to the ARIA. Patients of mild group received azelastine hydrochloride or fluticasone propionate one spray per nostril， two times per day for 30 days. Patients of moderate or severe group received azelastine hydrochloride or fluticasone propionate (with a 30minute interval), or their combination. Results: The effect in mild group was not significantly different between azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate(86.36% vs 92.00%, P＞0.05). In moderate or severe groups, the response rate was 66.67%, 73.33% and 96.88% in azelastine hydrochloride (the first group), fluticasone propionate alone(the second group) and their combination (the third group). There was no significant difference between the first and the second groups(P＞0.05). The response rate of the third group was significantly higher than that of the first and the second groups(both P＜0.05). There was no significant difference between the total response rate of azelastine hydrochloride and of fluticasone propionate (83.78% vs 90.00%, P＞0.05). Conclusion: Azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate can be used for the firstline pharmacological treatment of allergic rhinitis, and their combination can be used to treat moderate or

Key words: