Effect of desloratadine versus placebo on nasal airflow and subjective measures of nasal obstruction in subjects with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in an allergen-exposure unit.
BACKGROUND
Unlike many antihistamines, desloratadine can reduce nasal congestion in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).


OBJECTIVE
We compared the effects of 5 mg of desloratadine and placebo on nasal airflow and SAR symptoms, including nasal congestion, in response to grass pollen in an allergen-exposure unit.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 47 subjects with histories of SAR received desloratadine or placebo every morning for 7 days and, after a 10-day washout period, were crossed over to the other treatment arm for 7 days. Subjects underwent a 6-hour allergen exposure on day 7 of each treatment period. Nasal airflow and nasal secretion weights were measured before and every 30 minutes during allergen exposure; SAR symptoms (including nasal congestion) were scored before exposure and every 15 minutes thereafter.


RESULTS
Nasal obstruction, as measured by nasal airflow, was less severe with desloratadine than with placebo (P <.02). Individual and combined SAR symptom severity scores, including nasal congestion and sneezing, were significantly lower with desloratadine than with placebo (all P < or =.003). Within 30 minutes of allergen exposure, less severely decreased nasal airflow (P <.02), less nasal secretions (P <.001), and less severe symptoms, including nasal congestion (P <.002), rhinorrhea, and sneezing, occurred with desloratadine compared with placebo, and this continued throughout (0-6 hours) allergen exposure. Desloratadine was well tolerated, with an adverse event profile similar to that of placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
In subjects with allergen-induced SAR symptoms, desloratadine significantly reduced the severity of nasal obstruction and accompanying complaints of nasal congestion and other SAR symptoms compared with the effects of placebo.
Horak
Friedrich
F
ENT-University Clinic AKH Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Stübner
Ursula P
UP
Zieglmayer
Rene
R
Harris
Alan G
AG
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012912:Sneezing / Q000187:drug effects
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D017336:Loratadine; C121345:desloratadine