Protective effect of cetirizine in patients suffering from pollen asthma.

In a double-blind study, 29 patients suffering from pollen asthma were administered placebo for 14 days and were compared with 28 patients administered cetirizine, a new drug displaying a potent and selective H1 antagonism and inhibiting effect on infiltrating cells. FEV1 and FVC were measured before and after treatment. A subjective self-assessment by the patients included daily ENT and pulmonary scores, and beta 2 consumption.

Comparative effects of loratadine and terfenadine in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Loratadine is a new selective peripheral histamine H1-receptor antagonist, that is orally effective, long-acting, and devoid of significant central and autonomic nervous system activity. Its safety and efficacy were evaluated in a 28-day study conducted in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (loratadine, 10 mg OD; terfenadine, 60 mg BID; or placebo).

French multicentre double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acrivastine as compared with terfenadine in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

In this double-blind, multicentre study the antihistamine acrivastine was compared with terfenadine for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The study was divided into three periods which together lasted 56 days. Patients (n = 83) were randomly assigned treatment with either 8 mg acrivastine three times daily or 60 mg terfenadine twice daily.

A multicentric study of loratadine, terfenadine and placebo in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

This multicentric study compared 14-day treatment with loratadine (Clarityne) 10 mg once daily, terfenadine 60 mg twice daily and placebo in outpatients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Of 275 patients enrolled, 256 (87 in the loratadine group, 89 in the terfenadine group and 80 in the placebo group) were evaluable for efficacy and 266 (90, 91 and 85 in respective groups) were evaluable for safety. Investigators graded the severity of 4 nasal and 4 nonnasal signs/symptoms and investigators and patients rated overall disease condition and therapeutic response on treatment days 3, 7 and 14; patients recorded when signs/symptoms of rhinitis were relieved, as well.

Loratadine (SCH29851) 40 mg once daily versus terfenadine 60 mg twice daily in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Seventy patients received loratadine 40 mg once daily, terfenadine 60 mg twice daily, or placebo in a 14-day, double-blind, randomized study. Four nasal and four non-nasal symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis were evaluated. At the endpoint (the last evaluable visit), the mean total scores of combined nasal and non-nasal symptoms decreased (improved) from the baseline by 51.