[Comparative assessment of astemizole-pseudoephedrine and loratadine-pseudoephedrine in children with allergic rhinitis].
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of astemizole-pseudoephedrine solution compared to loratadine-pseudoephedrine syrup in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Fifty children (34 boys and 16 girls) ages between 2 and 7 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to each group. Patients were evaluated before treatment and on the third and seventh days of therapy. Children treated with astemizole-pseudoephedrine had better results with an average effectiveness of 84% compared to 64% for children treated with loratadine-pseudoephedrine. Differences were significant for eye symptoms by medical evaluation and for blocked nose, sneezing and itchy nose according to the patients diary. Both treatment groups started action within 30 minutes after drug intake. 4 hours later, 38% of the patients in the astemizole-pseudoephedrine group and 16% in the loratadine-pseudoephedrine groups had experienced improvement. One patient in the former and three in the latter showed adverse effects.
Paz Martínez
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D
Unidad de alergia pediátrica, Hospital Universitario de Puebla, Puebla Pue, México.
Rosales Parra
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E
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016589:Astemizole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D017336:Loratadine; D016589:Astemizole; D004809:Ephedrine