Assessment of the antiobstructive effect of fexofenadine on nasal allergy challenge in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Abstract

The oral administration of fexofenadine 120 mg daily is a common treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). It reduces the H1 receptor-mediated symptoms, such as sneezing, pruritus, and nasal secretion as well as non-nasal symptoms such as conjunctivitis. The objective was to assess the effect of fexofenadine on nasal symptoms (such as nasal obstruction) in seasonal allergic rhinitis. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over study was performed which yielded evidence that two-week therapy with fexofenadine 120 mg daily in patients with SAR also relieves nasal obstruction and congestion. The parameters of nasal obstruction were evaluated by means of rhinoscopy, a subjective symptom score, and active anterior rhinomanometry. The subjective evaluation of nasal obstruction/congestion as recorded by the patient every 15 minutes for 4.5 hours after nasal allergen provocation showed a significant difference of the AUC (p = 0.025) between fexofenadine and placebo with a 12.8% lower obstruction after fexofenadine. The swelling of the nasal mucosa, which was assessed by rhinoscopy for 4.5 hours after nasal allergen provocation, was 21% lower after treatment with fexofenadine (p = 0.041). In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, subjective patient ratings as well as objective investigator assessments demonstrate the anti-obstructive effect of fexofenadine in nasal allergen challenge.

• Authors: Ralph Mösges, Walter Lehmacher, Norbert Pasch, Julia Vent
• Journal: Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology (Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol) Vol. 27 Issue 4 Pg. 181-90 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 0125-877X [Print] Thailand
• PMID: 20232572 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Plant
• Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating
• Terfenadine
• fexofenadine

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Antigens, Plant (immunology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Nasal Obstruction
• Nasal Provocation Tests
• Pollen (immunology)
• Pulmonary Ventilation (drug effects)
• Recovery of Function (drug effects)
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal (drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
• Rhinomanometry
• Terfenadine (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)