Patient assessment of onset of action and overall satisfaction with ebastine fast-dissolving tablets in allergic rhinitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate patient perception of the onset of action and overall satisfaction with a fast-dissolving tablet (FDT) formulation of ebastine in patients with intermittent or persistent allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, pharmacy-based survey involving adult patients (>18 years) with allergic rhinitis who presented with a prescription for ebastine FDT. Via a telephone interview, patients were asked to evaluate the characteristics of ebastine FDT in comparison with their previous experience with other antihistamines.


RESULTS
100 patients with allergic rhinitis were included in the study (41 had intermittent disease, 57 persistent disease and two with unknown disease states). Patients rated ebastine FDT very highly (mean scores: 4.5-4.7 out of a possible 5) for all characteristics related to convenience, such as easy to take, easy to carry around in a bag or pocket, suitable for taking anytime/anywhere, and convenient to use. A total of 85% of patients perceived ebastine FDTs onset of action to be fast or very fast, and 77% indicated that it acted faster than their usual antihistamine. A total of 96% were satisfied or very satisfied with ebastine FDT and 98% were interested in using the drug again.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with rhinitis rate ebastine FDT very highly in terms of its formulation, convenience of use and its rapid onset of action. These characteristics resulted in a high level of individual satisfaction with the new formulation and a clear preference by the majority of patients to use ebastine FDT in the future.
Roger
Albert
A
Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Carretera de Canyet, s/n 08916 Badalona, Spain. centre_roger_alergia@comb.es.
Fortea
Josep
J
Mora
Sheila
S
Artés
Maite
M