title: Bilastine as a potential treatment in allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic rhinitis is a very frequent disease. H1 antihistamines have been used for treatment of allergic rhinitis for more than 5 decades. They differ in chemical structure, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy and adverse effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a detailed analysis of all available publications concerning the new H1-antihistamine bilasitine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bilastine, a piperidine derivative, is a novel potent H1 antihistamine. It is at least as potent as cetirizine or fexofenadine in in vitro studies. In animal studies it demonstrates dose-dependent antihistaminic and antiallergic effects. In humans its metabolism is not affected by age, gender or renal function but may be affected by coadministration of P glycoprotein inhibitors. Efficacy of bilastine in therapy of allergic rhinitis patients has been documented in several large controlled clinical trials showing bilastine being at least as effective as cetirizine or desloratadine. No significant suppressive effect on central nervous system could be demonstrated when bilastine was used in the recommended doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bilastine is a novel H1 antihistamine with anti-allergic properties which is highly effective in the treatment of symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It has a favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile and is generally well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Sklodowskiej-Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kowal
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: DuBuske
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010880:Piperidines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; C445659:bilastine