Once-daily cetirizine effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in children aged 6 to 11 years: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract	Cetirizine (once daily), a highly selective H1-antagonist, is efficacious for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), perennial allergic rhinitis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria. A 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the safety and efficacy of cetirizine syrup (5 or 10 mg daily) in 209 children ages 6 to 11 years with SAR. Parents assisted patients in recording symptom severity (sneezing, nasal discharge, itchy eyes, itchy nose or mouth, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion) daily. A total symptom severity (TSS) score was derived from all symptoms, excluding nasal congestion. At baseline, TSS was comparable for all groups (range 6.8-7.0). Cetirizine 10 mg produced a significantly greater mean TSS reduction (3.2) than placebo (P < 0.05) over the treatment period. Cetirizine 5 mg once daily produced mean reductions in weekly symptom scores of 2.4; this did not differ statistically from placebo. Furthermore, cetirizine 10 mg significantly improved symptoms of itchy eyes, nose, or mouth. The most commonly reported adverse reactions to both cetirizine and placebo were headache, pharyngitis, and abdominal pain, which did not occur with an incidence statistically different from that of placebo. Once-daily cetirizine is safe for treating SAR in children ages 6-11 years. Once-daily cetirizine 10 mg provides effective improvement in symptoms and is well tolerated.
Authors	D S Pearlman, W R Lumry, J A Winder, M J Noonan
Journal	Clinical pediatrics (Clin Pediatr (Phila)) Vol. 36 Issue 4 Pg. 209-15 (Apr 1997) ISSN: 0009-9228 [Print] United States
PMID	9114992 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References	Histamine H1 Antagonists Cetirizine
Topics	Cetirizine (therapeutic use) Child Double-Blind Method Female Histamine H1 Antagonists (therapeutic use) Humans Male Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal (drug therapy) Treatment Outcome

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