Comparison of the effects of desloratadine 5-mg daily and placebo on nasal airflow and seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms induced by grass pollen exposure.
BACKGROUND
Nasal congestion is a chronic symptom of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) that is often difficult to treat with antihistamines. Desloratadine, a new, potent, H1-receptor antagonist has been shown to decrease nasal congestion in clinical trials and to maintain nasal airflow in response to grass pollen exposure. We compared the effects of desloratadine 5 mg and placebo on nasal airflow, nasal secretion weights and SAR symptoms, including nasal congestion, in patients exposed to grass pollen in an environmental exposure unit.


METHODS
Forty-six grass pollen allergic SAR patients received desloratadine or placebo for 7 days, followed by a 10-day washout, and then crossed over to the other treatment for 7 days. A 6-h allergen exposure was performed at the end of each treatment period.


RESULTS
Desloratadine was significantly superior to placebo in maintaining nasal airflow (P <or= 0.014) and lessening the increase in nasal secretion weights (P < 0.001) throughout allergen exposure. SAR symptom scores, including nasal congestion, were significantly less with desloratadine than placebo (P <or= 0.001). Desloratadine was well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms that, compared with placebo, desloratadine can maintain nasal airflow and reduce nasal secretion weights and the severity of SAR symptoms, including nasal congestion, in SAR patients exposed to grass pollen allergen.
Horak
F
F
ENT-Universitätsklinik, Vienna, Austria.
Stübner
P
P
Zieglmeyer
R
R
Harris
A G
AG
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D010919:Placebos; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D010919:Placebos; D017336:Loratadine; C121345:desloratadine