Topical levocabastine, a selective H1 antagonist, in seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Sixty-six patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis due to birch pollens, participated in an efficacy evaluation of topically applied, nasal and ocular, levocabastine, a highly selective H1 antagonist. A single blind comparison was performed between nasal levocabastine and flunisolide, a topical glucocorticoid preparation. Ocular levocabastine was compared with topical naphazoline/antazoline eye drops. Nasal and ocular symptom scores were recorded during a 31-day period. Pollen counts of birch pollens were done simultaneously. A global assessment of treatment efficacy was also made. In the comparison between the ocular treatments a significantly higher number of patients cited levocabastine excellent--it also had the advantage of fewer daily administrations. For nasal symptom scores the topical glucocorticosteroid therapy was in favour by number of sneezes. As for side effects, 44% of the patients complained of local irritation from naphazoline/antazoline eye drops or flunisolide nasal spray, but none with the levocabastine preparations. Topical levocabastine may provide an interesting alternative in the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010880:Piperidines; C047340:levocabastine