The efficacy of the
second generation antihistamine ebastine has been investigated in the treatment and prevention of
seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). In a double-blind randomised study, patients treated with a single daily dose of
ebastine 10mg (n = 116) for 2 weeks showed a significant improvement in symptoms of SAR compared with those treated with placebo (n = 85).
Sneezing, rhinorrhoea, tears and conjunctival irritation were all significantly improved, but not blocked nose. The overall efficacy of treatment was judged to be significantly superior in the
ebastine group. There was no increase in bodyweight at the end of the study in either of the groups. There was no increase bodyweight at the end of the study in either of the groups. The percentage of patients reporting adverse events were
headache,
somnolence,
nausea, dry mouth, stomach upset and increased appetite. The efficacy of
ebastine 10 mg/day (n = 111) was similar to that of
astemizole 10 mg/day (n = 106) over a 4-month period in preventing the symptoms of SAR in the open randomised study. The efficacy of both drugs in preventing the onset of
sneezing, rhinorrhoea, blocked nose and tears was significant, when symptoms were compared with those during the previous year. At the end of the study, the
astemizole-treated patients had a significant increase in bodyweight, which was not observed in the
ebastine group. The percentage of patients reporting adverse events was significantly greater in the
astemizole group (34.9% versus 20.7%; p = 0.02). Thus,
ebastine is a useful alternative treatment for
seasonal allergic rhinitis. It has also shown efficacy comparable to that of
astemizole in the prevention of onset of symptoms of this allergic condition, and appears to be better tolerated than this agent.