title: Dose-ranging, placebo-controlled study of cetirizine nasal spray in adults with perennial allergic rhinitis.
abstract: A total of 360 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were randomized in a placebo-controlled, dose-finding study comparing three concentrations (0.06%, 0.125%, and 0.25%) of a cetirizine nasal spray, administered three times a day for 2 weeks. The primary criterion of efficacy was the percentage of days with no or only mild symptoms of rhinitis (PDMax1), as evaluated by the patients. The median PDMax1 were 16.7%, 30.8%, 42.9%, and 26.7% for the placebo, 0.06%, 0.125%, and 0.25% groups, respectively. Although the global comparison among the four groups only approached statistical significance (P = 0.076), the difference (26.2%) between the placebo and 0.125% groups was clinically and statistically significant (P = 0.011). For the global evaluation by the investigator, the best results were seen in the 0.125% group (P = 0.03). The occurrence of adverse events did not differ among the four treatment groups and consisted mainly of nasal events, occurring in 22.5%, 17.1%, 12.9%, and 24.4% of the patients for the placebo, 0.06%, 0.125%, and 0.25% groups, respectively (P = 0.184). These results indicate that the 0.125% concentration is significantly better than placebo and offers the best therapeutic ratio.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis Jette V.U.B, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Roovers
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Francillon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dodion
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000368:Aged; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D017332:Cetirizine