The efficacy and safety of the two intranasal glucocorticosteroids, budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), were compared in a single-blind study of 120 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Patients were randomized to receive either budesonide 200 micrograms twice daily or BDP 200 micrograms twice daily from pressurized nasal inhalers for 3 weeks. No other anti-rhinitis medication was allowed during the study. Patients recorded symptoms (blocked nose, runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, runny eyes and sore eyes) daily on a diary card and were asked to make a global assessment of their treatment at the end of the study. Mean daily symptom scores were lower in patients receiving budesonide than in those receiving BDP for all symptoms, although treatment differences only reached statistical significance for runny nose and sneezing. After 3 weeks, 38% of patients on budesonide and 27% on BDP were totally symptom-free, and 72% of patients on budesonide described the treatment as noticeably, very or totally effective compared with 58% on BDP. In conclusion, the present study showed budesonide to be more effective in controlling symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis than BDP.