title: A randomized controlled trial of cetirizine plus pseudoephedrine versus loratadine plus pseudoephedrine for perennial allergic rhinitis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of cetirizine plus pseudoephedrine (C+P) with loratadine plus pseudoephedrine (L+P) in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. This was a double blind, randomized, parallel trial with an active control. Subjects aged 12 to 70 years with perennial allergic rhinitis for at least 2 years were enrolled and randomized to receive either of the active study medications plus a placebo resembling the other, twice daily for 4 weeks. Nasal total symptom scale (NTSS) including sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal itching and nasal stuffiness is evaluated by subjects daily and at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks by the investigator as efficacy measurement. A total of 51 eligible patients were enrolled and 45 patients completed the treatment course. Both groups had significant reductions in NTSS after 4 weeks of treatment as assessed by the subjects, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (mean +/- SD) reduction of 4.25 +/- 2.45 with C+P vs. 3.52 +/- 2.41 with L+P, p = 0.215. As assessed by the investigator, sneezing was significantly better at 2 weeks (-1.13 vs. -0.52, p = 0.028) and nasal congestion at 4 weeks (-1.71 vs. -1.19, p = 0.031) in subjects treated with C+P compared to those treated with L+P. There were 37 treatment-related adverse events (5 in 4 subjects in the C+P group and 32 in 16 subjects in the L+P group). It was concluded that both cetirizine plus pseudoephedrine and loratadine plus pseudoephedrine are efficacious for perennial allergic rhinitis in Taiwanese subjects. Relief of sneezing and nasal congestion may be marginally better with the cetirizine preparation, which also seemed to be slightly better tolerated, although the incidence of side effects did not differ significantly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yi-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Shyh-Dar
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shyur
authors.forename: Tien-Ling
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Hsin
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ta-Chzng
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Mao-Tsair
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hwai-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Pei-Hsuan
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Yu-Hsuan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Tsung-Chi
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012912:Sneezing / Q000187:drug effects; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017336:Loratadine; D004809:Ephedrine; D017332:Cetirizine