DOUBLE BLIND RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL OF CETIRIZINE IN THE TREATMENT OF PERENNIAL ALLERGlC RHINITIS

The efficacy and tolerability of cetirizine, a second generation HI receptor blocker, was evaluated in perennial allergic rhinitis patients. Fifty-one of them, took part in a double blind randomized study during which they were treated for 4 weeks with either cetirizine 10 mg (n=17) or astemizole 10 mg (n=18) or placebo (n=16) with once daily oral dose. Nine patients were excluded from the trial due to non-compliance or protocol violation. Our study revealed that cetirizine alleviated almost all the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis viz., sneezing, rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction and nasal pruritus. Cetirizine and astemizole did not differ significantly in either efficacy or toleration, though both had efficacy superior to placebo. Cetirizine may be a useful antihistamine in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis for its long action, non-sedative property and convenient dosing schedule.