Presence of fluticasone propionate on human nasal mucosal surface and in human nasal tissue over a period of 24 h after intranasal application

Background: Once-daily use of nasally applied glucocorticoids was demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The aim of the study was to measure concentrations of fluticasone propionate (FP) in nasal secretion and nasal tissue over a period of I day after a single application of 100 mug FP. Methods: Twenty-six patients applied nasal FP spray at different time intervals before surgery. Cotton swabs, used to clean the mucosal surface, and resected nasal tissue were extracted. FP concentrations were determined by RIA. Results: FP was found in nasal secretions in concentrations from 15 to 1 mug/g over a period of 20 h, and in nasal tissue in concentrations from 200 to 13 ng/g up to 24 h after the single application. Conclusions: The long-persisting high concentrations of FP provide the pharmacokinetic basis for once-daily treatment.