Olopatadine hydrochloride and rupatadine fumarate in seasonal allergic rhinitis: A comparative study of efficacy and safety.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of olopatadine and rupatadine in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).


METHODS
A 2-week, single-centered, randomized, open, parallel group comparative clinical study was conducted on patients with SAR. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 70 patients were recruited and were randomized to two treatment groups and received the respective drugs for 2 weeks. At follow-up, clinical improvement was assessed in terms of change in total and differential count of leucocytes, serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scoring.


RESULTS
Both the drugs significantly reduced the differential count (P<0.001) and absolute eosinophil count (P<0.001), but olopatadine was found to be superior. In olopatadine group, there was significantly higher reduction in serum IgE (P=0.01), TNSS (P<0.001) and RQLQ score (P=0.015) than that of rupatadine. Incidence of adverse effects was found to be less in olopatadine group when compared with rupatadine group.


CONCLUSIONS
Olopatadine is a better choice in SAR in comparison to rupatadine due to its better efficacy and safety profile.
Department of Pharmacology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagunur Road, Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Rituparna
R
Maiti
Jyothirmai
J
Jaida
Jalelur
J
Rahman
Rajasri
R
Gaddam
Anuradha
A
Palani