Effect of Individualised Homeopathic Medicine as Adjunct to Fluticasone Furoate for Allergic Rhinitis: A Prospective, Randomised, Open-Label, Controlled Trial

Allergic rhinitis (AR) impairs quality of life, with intranasal corticosteroids like fluticasone furoate as standard of care (SOC). Individualised homeopathic medicines (IHMs) are increasingly used as adjuncts, but robust evidence is limited. This study evaluates whether an IHM combined with SOC improves clinical outcomes compared with SOC alone in moderate to severe AR. In a randomized, open-label, controlled trial, 210 adults with AR (Total Nasal Symptom Score [TNSS] ≥ 6) were assigned 1:1 to SOC or SOC + IHM for a 12-week treatment phase, followed by a 6-week observational follow-up phase. Primary outcome was TNSS; secondary outcomes included Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-RQLQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4, 12 and 18 weeks using repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) and t-tests in an intention-to-treat analysis. Both groups showed significant within-group TNSS reductions at 4 and 12 weeks (all p < 0.001), with no between-group differences (p > 0.99). At 18 weeks, when no treatment was administered, SOC + IHM had lower TNSS (1.44 ± 1.00) than SOC (6.48 ± 1.71, p < 0.001), with similar trends for Mini-RQLQ (0.88 ± 0.31 vs. 2.24 ± 0.42, p < 0.001) and VAS (2.04 ± 0.84 vs. 6.35 ± 1.38, p < 0.001). RM-ANOVA showed no Group × Time interaction at 12 weeks (TNSS: p = 0.146, partial η2 = 0.009), but significant interactions at 18 weeks (TNSS: p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.738). Dropout was minimal (<5%). No serious adverse events were reported. Adding an IHM to SOC did not enhance clinical outcomes during the 12-week treatment but significantly better symptoms control and quality of life at 18 weeks, suggesting a sustained benefit for AR relapse. These findings support IHMs as potential adjunct for long-term AR management, warranting further investigation.