title: Comparison of the effects of loratadine and astemizole in the treatment of children with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of a once-daily dose of loratadine 10 mg (5 mg in patients whose body weight was less than or equal to 30 kg) and astemizole 2 mg/10 kg body weight o.d. were compared in a 14-day third-party blind study. Forty-one children (30 boys and 11 girls, aged 6-14 years) with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis entered the study. The pollen count was monitored throughout the study. A significant improvement (p less than 0.01) in allergy symptoms was observed from the third day for both drugs; there was no significant difference between drugs, although loratadine led to a greater reduction in symptoms. In the astemizole group, the apparently rapid onset of drug action might by explained by reduced pollen exposure. Therapeutic response was excellent/good in 83.3% and 58.8% of the loratadine and astemizole groups, respectively. The results reported by the patients/parents were similar. Nine of the children on astemizole and four children on loratadine complained of side effects; three patients in the astemizole group were withdrawn from treatment because of adverse effects. No abnormal changes in lab values were observed in either group.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Clinic, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Boner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castellani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marchesi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016589:Astemizole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003533:Cyproheptadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine; D008297:Male; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D003533:Cyproheptadine; D017336:Loratadine; D016589:Astemizole