Case Studies in Allergic Rhinitis: Focus on Nonprescription Antihistamines

Presented by:

Maria Marzella Sulli, PharmD
Associate Clinical Professor
St. John’s University
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
Queens, New York
Wellness Coordinator
King Kullen Pharmacy Wellness Place
Levittown, New York

Dennis M. Williams, PharmD
Associate Professor
University of North Carolina
School of Pharmacy
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, and one for which patients frequently seek self-treatment. The increasing nonprescription availability of antihistamines means that more patients than ever may be able to self-treat their symptoms successfully.  Pharmacists can help to ensure successful self-treatment by identifying appropriate patients and assisting with product selection. Using a case-based approach, this webinar will acquaint pharmacists with common patient scenarios and highlight the optimal use of nonprescription antihistamines.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, pharmacists should be able to:

1. Differentiate allergic rhinitis from other common upper respiratory conditions.
2. Describe a novel classification system for allergic rhinitis that is based on both duration and severity of symptoms.
3. Outline a stepwise approach to the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
4. Determine whether a patient with allergic rhinitis is an appropriate candidate for self-treatment.
5. Discuss the optimal use of nonprescription antihistamines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Faculty Disclosure:

Maria Marzella Sulli, PharmD, has served as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline and has been a grant recipient from GlaxoSmithKline and Procter & Gamble.

Dennis M. Williams, PharmD, has served on an advisory board for sanofi-aventis.

APhA’s editorial staff declares no conflicts of interest or financial interests in any product or service mentioned in this program, including grants, employment, gifts, stock holdings, and honoraria.

The American Pharmacists Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  This program, Case Studies in Allergic Rhinitis: Focus on Nonprescription Antihistamines, ACPE #202-000-08-106-L01-P, is approved for 2 hours of continuing education credit (0.2 CEUs). There is no fee to participate in this activity.

To obtain continuing education credit for this program, participants must pre-register online (limited to 200 seats), participate in the entire program, and complete the online program evaluation form by July 1, 2008.  A Statement of Credit will be automatically generated upon achieving these requirements.  Participants can obtain continuing education credit for only one of the five offerings of this webinar. 

If you attended this symposium, Case Studies in Allergic Rhinitis: Focus on Nonprescription Antihistamines (ACPE #202-000-08-106-L01-P), on March 15, 2008, and received CE credit, you are not eligible for additional credit.

Initial Release Date:  March 15, 2008

This webinar was developed by the American Pharmacists Association and supported through an educational grant from McNeil Consumer Healthcare.

System Requirements

This is a live presentation delivered over the internet. In order to see and hear the program properly, you must have the following: Broadband internet connection, such as T1, Cable, or high-speed DSL. Before enrolling in this program, please test your internet connection here. It is important that you take this test on the same computer and network you will be using the day of the live presentation. Dial-up or modem is not supported. Lower-grade DSL may not provide a quality experience. Connecting via wireless network is not recommended.   RxSchool makes every effort to ensure maximum quality of our live online CE; however, please be aware that network difficulties beyond our control may occur. Computer speakers or headphones. Flash Player 6 or higher. Click here for a free download of the latest version. Refunds will not be issued to users who have not successfully tested the classroom. If you're having troubles, please contact Tech Support (877-217-8129) before you sign up for a live online program.

This event has limited enrollment, so you must pre-register to attend.

Target Audience: Pharmacists

Time: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET 
        7:00 pm to 9:00 pm CT 
         6:00 pm to 8:00 pm MT
         5:00 pm to 7:00 pm PT

Location: Internet Broadcast - RxSchool Live E-Classroom

ACPE Accreditation Credit Hours: 2 Expiration Date: 03/15/2011 ACPE UPN: 202-000-08-106-L01     The American Pharmacists Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.