Onset of action of loratadine and placebo and other efficacy variables in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
In a double-blind study, 185 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg of loratadine or placebo once daily for three days. On day 1 of treatment, the onset of relief of symptoms within 30 minutes of drug administration was reported by 13% of the loratadine-treated patients and by 4% of the placebo patients (P less than 0.05). At two hours after drug administration, 65% of the loratadine-treated patients and 48% of the placebo patients reported symptom relief. On day 3, the loratadine-treated patients reported a significantly greater relief of symptoms, and according to both physician and patient evaluations, the treatment response was significantly superior in the loratadine-treated than in the placebo patients. The incidence of sedation was 2% in the loratadine group and 1% in the placebo group.
Bédard
P M
PM
University of Laval, Quebec, Canada.
Del Carpio
J
J
Drouin
M A
MA
Yang
W
W
Hébert
J
J
Lavoie
A
A
Prévost
M
M
Turenne
Y
Y
PetitClerc
C
C
Lorber
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003533:Cyproheptadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D003533:Cyproheptadine; D017336:Loratadine