Schering-Plough Corporation announced that the US FDA has approved a new scent-free formulation of Nasonex (mometasone furoate monohydrate) prescription nasal inhaled steroid.

Nasonex remains the first and only once-daily prescription nasal inhaled steroid approved to help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, in adults and children 12 years of age and older and the only nasal inhaled steroid approved to treat nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, in patients as young as 2 years of age. The FDA approval of this new formulation was based upon extensive review of the safety and efficacy data from the original formulation of Nasonex Nasal Spray.

Nasal inhaled steroids are the recommended first line therapy when nasal congestion is the primary symptom of a patient's allergic rhinitis, according to The Allergy Report, which was developed by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the company release said.

Nasal allergies caused by allergic rhinitis, which is considered to encompass the outdoor symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and the indoor symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR).

A recent survey of more than 2,000 people found nasal congestion is the most bothersome symptom for those with allergic rhinitis, particularly for children with allergic rhinitis, and it is the most difficult symptom of allergic rhinitis to manage.