The efficacy of a nasal antihistamine olopatadine for the treatment of serous otitis media in children

Previously we have shown that the combination of a Nasal Corticosteroid Mometasone with an oral antibiotic may be more efficacious than monotherapy with an oral antibiotic in the treatment of serous otitis media in children.

Since chronic inflammation is the histopathologic landmark of otitis media with effusion, clinical observations have led us to believe that the combination of a Nasal Antihistamine Olopatadine with an oral antibiotic may be more effective than monotherapy with an oral antibiotic in the treatment of serous otitis media.

We studied forty pediatric patients (age 6 years to 11 years) in a randomized open labeled 2-week trial to compare the efficacy of the combination nasal Olopatadine 665 mcg/nostril twice daily with an oral antibiotic Amoxicillin/Clavulanate potassium (90mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses every 12 house) for the treatment of otitis media with effusion  

The efficacy of the treatment options was assessed using pneumatic otoscopy, impedance tympanometry, and audiometry to monitor the clinical course of the middle ear effusion in both treatment groups.  

In the combination group nasal Olopatadine and oral antibiotic a resolution of otitis media with effusion occurred at the 7th day. In contrast in the group treated with monotherapy with the oral antibiotic the resolution of otitis media with effusion occurred on the 14th day.

In conclusion, the combination of nasal antihistamine Olopatadine plus an oral antibiotic is more effective than monotherapy with an oral antibiotic. The combination nasal antihistamine Olopatadine plus an oral antibiotic may be a safer and shorter therapy given the safety issues with long term use of system antibiotics.