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.

A.K.D. conceptualised and designed the study, served as the treating physician for the IHM intervention, collected data, conducted preliminary data validation and drafted the initial manuscript. A.K.S. contributed to the study design, supervised the administration of fluticasone furoate (ensuring protocol adherence and participant training), oversaw data collection quality control and critically revised the manuscript. S.S. supported the study coordination, including protocol implementation and data management. N.G. contributed to the interpretation of clinical findings. All authors (A.K.D., A.K.S., S.S. and N.G.) interpreted the clinical and statistical findings, reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Received: 06 July 2025

Accepted: 21 August 2025

Article published online:
12 December 2025

© 2025. Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.

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