DOUBLE-BLIND COMPARISON BETWEEN TERFENADINE (120MG/DAY) AND LORATADINE (10MG/DAY) IN PATIENTS WITH SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS

In 1990 during the hay fever saison (march - september) 112 patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis were treated with antihistaminics. In this randomized double blind multicentre study 57 patients received terfenadine 120 mg/day and 55 patients loratadine 10 mg/day. Data of 110 patients could be included in the statistical evaluation. The improvement of the clinical picture was recorded by assessment of the symptoms running nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, red eyes, lacrimal eyes, itching nose and itching eves. In both treatment groups a clear reduction of severity was stated; group difference were not seen. The final assessment revealed a significantly more pronounced global efficacy (p < 0.01) in the terfenadine group: 66% excellent or good assessments versus 50% (loratadine). The onset of efficacy on the first day of treatment was stated after 60 minutes (median) in the terfenadine and after 90 minutes in the loratadine group. The tolerance of both antihistaminics was good. Adverse events were seen in 5 (terfenadine) resp. 3 patients (loratadine); these complaints (fatigue, dry mouth, gastrointestinal disorders, etc.) were mild and disappeared without treatment.