title: Lodoxamide versus spaglumic acid: a comparative double-blind trial on patients suffering from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis induced by Parietaria pollen.
abstract: In order to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lodoxamide in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, the authors conducted a double-blind trial with intrapatient comparison on 32 patients, using lodoxamide versus spaglumic acid in the course of two conjunctival provocation tests performed with specific allergens. The patients received one drop of lodoxamide in one eye and one drop of spaglumic acid in the other; 15 minutes later, 25 microliters of allergen extract at a pre-established concentration was instilled. After 10 minutes, the signs and symptoms of the allergic response were evaluated and recorded. Six hours later, the instillation of the allergen extract in both eyes was repeated following the same procedure, to establish the duration of the effect of the two drugs. The results, obtained by evaluating the main clinical signs and symptoms (itching, lacrimation, hyperaemia, palpebral oedema and chemosis), demonstrate with statistically significant differences that lodoxamide inhibits the conjunctival response to exposure to the allergen with greater efficacy than spaglumic acid, and for a longer duration. The two drugs provided similar and satisfactory tolerability. In view of these results, lodoxamide can definitely be considered and effective drug in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.
authors.affiliation: School of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Policlinic, Padiglione H, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Purello D'Ambrosio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangemi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cuzzocrea
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Lorenzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010072:Oxamic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010072:Oxamic Acid; C021702:lodoxamide ethyl