Comparative effects of desloratadine versus montelukast on asthma symptoms and use of beta 2-agonists in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) are recognized as manifestations of a single airway disease. Desloratadine has demonstrated efficacy in treating SAR symptoms, including nasal obstruction.

METHODS:

Safety and efficacy of desloratadine and montelukast each were assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of patients with SAR and symptoms of asthma, who were assigned randomly to once-daily treatment with desloratadine 5 mg, montelukast 10 mg, or placebo for 4 weeks. Change from baseline of AM/PM reflective total asthma symptom severity scores (TASS), FEV(1), individual asthma symptom scores, and beta(2)-agonist usage were assessed.

RESULTS:

Desloratadine and montelukast each were associated with statistically significant reductions from baseline in the mean TASS averaged over the 4-week period (p < or =0.022 vs. placebo). Individual asthma symptom scores also improved significantly for both therapies (p < or = 0.05). Patients treated with desloratadine or montelukast demonstrated improvement from baseline in FEV(1) versus placebo; significant improvement was seen in a subset of patients with baseline FEV(1) <80% of predicted normal (both p < 0.05). Both active therapies significantly reduced beta(2)-agonist use (both p < 0.01). Improvements for both therapies were comparable for all efficacy parameters; they were tolerated well with adverse event profiles similar to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS:

Asthma symptoms and beta(2)-agonist were improved significantly in patients with concomitant SAR and asthma treated with desloratadine 5 mg as well as montelukast 10 mg once daily. Both therapies significantly improved FEV(1) in a subset of patients with FEV(1) <80% of predicted normal at entry. Improvements in asthma symptoms were comparable for both active treatment groups.

• Authors: Carlos E Baena-Cagnani, William E Berger, Lawrence M DuBuske, Sandra E Gurné, Paul Stryszak, Richard Lorber, Melvyn Danzig
• Journal: International archives of allergy and immunology (Int Arch Allergy Immunol) Vol. 130 Issue 4 Pg. 307-13 (Apr 2003) ISSN: 1018-2438 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 12740532 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase III, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• Acetates
• Adrenergic beta-Agonists
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Cyclopropanes
• Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating
• Quinolines
• Sulfides
• Loratadine
• desloratadine
• montelukast
• Albuterol

Topics

• Acetates (therapeutic use)
• Adolescent
• Adrenergic beta-Agonists (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aged
• Albuterol (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Asthma (complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Cyclopropanes
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Loratadine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pulmonary Ventilation (drug effects)
• Quinolines (therapeutic use)
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal (complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Sulfides
• Treatment Outcome