Ebastine fast-dissolving tablets versus regular tablets: acceptability and preference in patients with allergic rhinitis.

A new fast-dissolving tablet (FDT) formulation of ebastine has been developed that dissolves rapidly in the mouth without the need for water. This new formulation of ebastine FDT offers an opportunity to tailor prescribing in a way that meets patient's preferences. The aim of the reported study was to evaluate the preferences of allergic rhinitis patients who were given either a placebo version of ebastine FDT or a placebo version of ebastine regular tablet (RT). Allergic rhinitis patients from Germany, Italy and Mexico, who were regular consumers of oral antihistamines, were recruited to a randomized, crossover study comparing placebo forms of ebastine FDT and ebastine RT. Patients were interviewed at home and were given both a FDT and RT (10 and 20 mg doses were used with a 1:1 ratio). Data on patient preferences were recorded by an interviewer and analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 420 individuals participated (140 in each country), 70% with intermittent and 24% with persistent allergic rhinitis. Using a rating scale of 0-10 and comparing mean values, ebastine FDT was statistically significantly better than RT for: sensation on dissolving (8.30 FDT vs 6.79 RT); taste it leaves in the mouth (8.10 FDT vs 6.60 RT); initial taste (8.07 FDT vs 6.63 RT); and texture (7.85 FDT vs 7.20 RT). Rapidity of dissolution was rated 8.67 for FDT. With the same scale, RT rated statistically significantly better than ebastine FDT for: appearance (7.46 RT vs 6.85 FDT); size (7.38 RT vs 7.06 FDT); and shape (7.55 RT vs 7.24 FDT). General evaluation was statistically significantly better for ebastine FDT (8.21 FDT vs 7.05 RT). Overall, 83% of patients preferred ebastine FDT to RT, 92% considered it to be more innovative, 90% that it was suitable to be taken without water and that it was technologically advanced, and 87% that it was suitable for taking at any time and anywhere, and that it had a refreshing taste. Ebastine FDT formulation is preferred to the RT by the majority of allergic rhinitis patients, rating most highly for dissolution, taste and texture.