LEVOCETRIZINE AND DESLORATADINE: COMPARATIVE EFFICACY IN PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Background: Antihistamines are the most commonly prescribed class of medication for allergic rhinitis. The objective of this study was to compare efficacy of levocetrizine and desloratadine in once daily dosage in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. Methods: This study was carried out from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2011, in Department of ENT and Pharmacology, Gomal Medical College D. I. Khan. Patients of > 12 years age with symptomatic allergic rhinitis attending ENT OPD were included. They were divided in two groups. Group A was given levocetrizine 5 mg once daily and Group B desloratadine 5 mg once daily. Data was collected at first visit prior to medication, second visit 2 weeks and third at 4 weeks. Total-4 nasal symptoms score (rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal itching, and nasal obstruction) were compared. Results: A Total 140 patients were included; 42 males and 28 females in group A while 52 males and 18 females in group B. Mean age in group A was 27.4 +/- 9.3 while in group B 27.5 +/- 8.9 years. Total-4 nasal symptoms score was 13-14 in 76% patients at visit 1 in levocetrizine group that improved to 6-7 in 25% and 4-5 in 70% patients at visit 2 and 3 respectively. Patients receiving desloratadine had 13-14 in 58% at visit 1 with an improvement to 4-5 in 21% and 65% at visits 2 and 3 respectively. Conclusion: There is no difference between levocetrizine and desloratadine in relieving individual symptom score in symptomatic allergic rhinitis.