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Efficacy of Loratadine Compared with Fexofenadine or Placebo for the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

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Abstract

Objective

To compare loratadine with fexofenadine and placebo in relieving symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).

Design

A randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

Study Participants

Participants were aged 12 to 60 years with spring/summer SAR and total symptom severity scores (TSS) of at least 8 (maximum score 15) on six of 14 pre-baseline time-points.

Interventions

Loratadine 10mg once daily, fexofenadine 60mg twice daily, or placebo for 7 days.

Main Outcome Measures and Results

The primary end-point was the reduction from baseline in am and pm reflective and instantaneous TSS at final assessment. Times to 25% and maximum reductions in am reflective TSS were also analysed. Drug administration with either loratadine or fexofenadine provided significant relief versus placebo: both agents provided similar reductions from baseline in am and pm reflective and instantaneous TSS at final assessment. Compared with fexofenadine, loratadine demonstrated a statistically greater percentage reduction in am and pm reflective TSS in four of the initial five assessments (p < 0.05 for day 1 pm, day 2 pm, and day 3 am and pm assessments), achieving significance versus fexofenadine as early as 12 hours following the first dose (day 1 pm). Median times to a 25% reduction and maximum reduction in am reflective TSS also occurred significantly earlier in patients receiving loratadine.

Conclusions

Compared with placebo, both loratadine and fexofenadine provided significant relief of the symptoms of SAR. At the first assessment following the first dose, however, loratadine demonstrated a significant reduction from baseline in TSS compared with fexofenadine. In addition, time-to-event analysis indicated that the reduction in symptoms occurred significantly earlier with loratadine.

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Acknowledgements

Funding was provided by Integrated Therapeutics Group Inc. (a subsidiary of Schering-Plough), Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Research Institute, 825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 1149, Minneapolis, Minnesota, MN 55402, USA

    Harold B. Kaiser

  2. Allergy Research Associates, Media, Pennsylvania, USA

    Anthony Rooklin

  3. Atlanta Allergy & Immunology Research Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Dennis Spangler

  4. Integrated Therapeutics Group, Inc., New Jersey, USA

    David Capano

Authors
  1. Harold B. Kaiser
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  2. Anthony Rooklin
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  3. Dennis Spangler
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  4. David Capano
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Kaiser, H.B., Rooklin, A., Spangler, D. et al. Efficacy of Loratadine Compared with Fexofenadine or Placebo for the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis. Clin. Drug Investig. 21, 571–578 (2001). https://doi.org/10.2165/00044011-200121080-00006

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00044011-200121080-00006

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