Study of the Effects of Ciclesonide Hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) Nasal Aerosol on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, safety and efficacy study of the effects of ciclesonide HFA nasal aerosol and ciclesonide AQ nasal spray on the HPA axis, when administered once daily to male and female subjects 12 years or older diagnosed with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis (PAR). The study consists of a screening period, a single blind run in period, a 6 week double blind treatment period including an active control segment, and a follow up period. Placebo was used as the control during the double-blind treatment period for both delivery methods (HFA nasal aerosol and aqueous nasal spray)and for the study outcome analyses. There was also a positive control administered to a subset of these placebo subjects during the last 4 days of Week 6 (dexamethasone placebo or dexamethasone 6 mg). The active control was utilized to validate the assay sensitivity (ie, distinguish an effective from an ineffective drug) of this study, as dexamethasone is a known HPA axis suppressant, therefore this subset of placebo subjects was not included in the study outcome analyses. This study was previously posted by Sepracor Inc. In October 2009, Sepracor Inc. was acquired by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma., and in October 2010, Sepracor Inc's name was changed to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.