title: Astemizole in perennial allergic rhinitis with seasonal exacerbations: a placebo-controlled double-blind study.
abstract: Astemizole is a nonsedative H1-antagonist. It was used in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled in-season trial to assess its efficacy in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis showing seasonal exacerbations. By the last (6th) week of the study, the mean overall symptomatology, as rated by a global composite score, was significantly mitigated in the astemizole-treated group (18 patients) compared with their first week's global composite score (P less than .01). No such improvement was observed in the placebo-treated group (18 patients). Side effects were not appreciable throughout this short-term study. We conclude that astemizole is effective in the treatment of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis showing seasonal enhancement of symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanay
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Neuman
mesh_terms: D016589:Astemizole; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010919:Placebos; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D016589:Astemizole