title: The early efficacy of topical levocabastine in patients with allergic conjunctivitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated the early efficacy of topical levocabastine, an H(1) histamine-receptor antagonist, in improving the clinical symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with allergic conjunctivitis were enrolled. One drop of levocabastine was instilled in one eye and one drop of artificial tears in the contralateral eye. Clinical examinations were performed before, and 15 and 30 minutes after instillation. Symptoms of itching and signs of injection were assessed at each time point.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both levocabastine and artificial tears resulted in a statistically significant reduction in ocular itching. However, levocabastine was significantly more effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although artificial tears had a positive effect in reducing symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, by the washing out of allergens, levocabastine was more effective than artificial tears in controlling acute symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, demonstrating that the selective H1 histamine-receptor antagonist action of levocabastine is rapidly effective in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. fhiroshi@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujishima
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukagawa
authors.forename: Yoji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Yayoi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Eiichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Uchio
authors.forename: Norihiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yokoi
authors.forename: Atsuki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: Etsuko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Takamura
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010880:Piperidines; C047340:levocabastine