title: The activity of recent anti-allergic drugs in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
abstract: Two experiments were performed during the pollen season to study the activity of different antiallergic drugs in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Nasal allergen challenge (NAC) was performed to mimic an acute attack of allergic rhinitis and to objectively evaluate the effect of the drugs on the early-phase reaction during the season. The first study assessed the effect of H1 (Cetirizine 10 mg a day) and of a combination of H1 (Cetirizine 10 mg) plus H2 (Cimetidine 800 mg a day) antagonists on nasal symptoms, mediator release and eosinophil count in a group of 16 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. During the same season a second study compared in a randomized way (2 parallel groups) the effect of Budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua) and Azelastine (Allergodil nasal spray) in a group of 14 patients. Results showed that both antihistamines, applied topically of dosed orally, reduced sneezing even when significant increases of histamine concentration in nasal secretions were evidenced immediately after NAC. When a combination of Cetirizine and Cimetidine was administered, a significant (p < 0.01) reduction of nasal airway resistance and increase of nasal airflow after NAC were demonstrated as well. In addition, topical application of Budesonide showed a strong (p < 0.01) effect on the infiltration and activation of eosinophils during the season, and on tryptase release after NAC. These effects lasted at least for one week after therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Free University Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Waele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009093:Mucus / Q000166:cytology; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D010793:Phthalazines; D011282:Pregnenediones; D019819:Budesonide; D002927:Cimetidine; C020976:azelastine