Comparison of antileukotrienes and antihistamines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of antileukotriene (anti-LT), antihistamine, and a combination of anti-LT and antihistamine on the symptoms and nasal resistance in allergic rhinitis patients.


METHODS
We performed a placebo-controlled study, with 120 persistent, moderate to severe allergic rhinitis patients randomly selected to receive the different treatments for 4 weeks: no treatment, 10 mg of cetirizine once per day, 20 mg of zafirlukast once per day, 20 mg of cafirlukast twice per day, a combination of 20 mg of zafirlukast and 10 mg of cetirizine once per day, or a combination of 20 mg of zafirlukast twice per day and 10 mg cetirizine once per day. The nasal secretion nitric oxide (NO) concentration, nasal symptom score, and nasal resistance were measured before and after treatment.


RESULTS
Total symptom scores improved in each treated group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Nasal obstruction significantly improved in the anti-LT-treated groups (p < 0.05). High-dose anti-LT or the combination of low-dose anti-LT and antihistamine significantly improved allergy symptoms compared with no treatment, low-dose anti-LT, or antihistamine alone (p < 0.05). Furthermore, anti-LT decreased NO concentration in nasal secretions (p < 0.05), regardless of the dose administered.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that high-dose anti-LT alone or the combination of low-dose anti-LY and antihistamine can effectively treat allergic rhinitis.
Ho
Ching-Yin
CY
Department of Otolaryngology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei and National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. cyho@vghtpe.gov.tw
Tan
Ching-Ting
CT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; C062735:zafirlukast; D017332:Cetirizine