Effect of desloratadine on patients with allergic rhinitis and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction: a placebo controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Exercise induced broncho-constriction (EIB) is a significant problem in asthmatic patients. The link between allergic rhinitis and asthma is now well established. Patients with allergic rhinitis may have EIB.


OBJECTIVE
This study compared the effects of desloratadine and placebo on EIB in a group of patients with allergic rhinitis and EIB.


METHODS
This was a double blind placebo controlled, randomized, crossover study. Exercise challenge tests were performed before and after 7 days of treatment with either 5 mg desloratadine or placebo. Patients then underwent a washout period for 7 days and were crossed over to receive either 5mg desloratadine or placebo. The exercise challenge tests were repeated.


RESULTS
Desloratadine had no effect on the reduction in percentage fall in FEV(1), the AUC (0-60 min) and the time to recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Desloratadine has no effect in attenuating the broncho-constriction caused by exercise in patients with allergic rhinitis and exercise induced broncho-constriction.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with allergic rhinitis and exercise induced broncho-constriction must be treated with either a beta(2)-agonist or LRTA for relief or prophylaxis of their EIB.


CONCLUSIONS
Desloratadine does not have an effect on exercise induced bronchoconstriction. Patients with allergic rhinitis with exercise induced bronchoconstriction who are on desloratadine will still require treatment with beta(2) agonist or leukotriene receptor antagonist for their symptoms.
Manjra
A I
AI
Paediatric Allergy and Asthma Centre, Westville Hospital, Durban, South Africa. manjra@mweb.co.za
Nel
H
H
Maharaj
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D010919:Placebos; D017336:Loratadine; C121345:desloratadine