Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is one of the most common allergic diseases. The first choice for control of SAR symptoms is the second-generation antihistamines (AHP-II). The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of ebastine 20 mg/day, cetirizine 10 mg/day, and loratadine 10 mg/day in adult patients with mild symptoms of SAR due to pollen grass allergy. 30 patients aged 18 to 65 years who received treatment for 14 days took part in the study. The duration of the study for one patient varied from 25 to 28 days. As a result, the efficiency of all three AHP II in the control of mild symptoms of SAR was demonstrated. However, the analysis of the scales (TNSS and TNNSS) after the end of the 14-day treatment period revealed that compared to patients treated with loratadine and cetirizine (TNSS scale (p=0,0303), TNNSS (p=0,0091) the best results were observed in the group of patients taking ebastine. Moreover, patients who received the ebastine experienced a statistically insignificant but steady tendency to decrease the level of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in nasal flushing (-37,9% of the baseline values), in contrast to loratadine and cetirizine. All drugs showed a high safety profile. To conclude, the investigated AHPs -II are effective and safe in control of mild symptoms of SAR in adult patients, though the rate of onset of the effect and its level for nasal and non nasal symptoms was significantly higher in patients receiving ebastine 20 mg compared to cetirizine 10 mg and loratadine 10 mg.
Nasal corticosteroids, first choice in moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. What prevents general practitioners from using them?