Comparision of efficacy of levocetirizine with montelukast and levocetirizine alone in persistent allergic rhinitis

To compare the efficacy of levocetirizine with montelukast and levocetirizine alone in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis in our setup. Patients with symptoms of AR attending ENT clinic were registered and divided into two groups based on drug given. Patients with odd numbers were included in group A receiving levocetirizine 5mg with montelukast 10mg once daily while patients with even numbers were included in group B receiving only levocetirizine 5mg once daily. Data was collected at visit 1 prior to medication, visit 2 one week after medication and visit 3 two weeks after medication. Medication history review, nasal symptom assessment and anterior rhinoscopy were done at each visit. Patients were evaluated for rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal itching and nasal obstruction on a scale. Total symptom complex score [TSCS] was calculated by adding scores of all four variables under study using proforma. Lower the score more effective will be the drug. One hundred twenty four patients were included in study; 63 were male and 61 were female. TSCS was 9 -10 in 73.3% patients at visit 1 in levocetirizine + montelukast group that improved to 4-5 in 28.3% and 3- 4 in 65% patients at visit 2 and 3 respectively. Patients receiving levocetirizine alone had TSCS of 9 to 10 in 52.9% at visit 1 with an improvement to 3-4 in 9.4% and 49.1% at visit 2 and visit 3 respectively. Levocetirizine with montelukast is superior to levocetirizine alone in controlling overall symptoms of AR.

Comparision of efficacy of levocetirizine and fexofenadine in patients with symptomatic allergic rhinitis

To compare efficacy of levocetirizine 5mg and fexofenadine 120mg in once daily dosage in patients with symptomatic allergic rhinitis. Quasi experimental study. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from 5th July 2007 to 5th July 2008. Patients with symptoms of AR attending ENT clinic were registered and divided into two groups based on drug given. Patients in group A were given levocetirizine while patients in group B were given fexofenadine. Data was collected at visit 1 prior to medication, visit 2 one week after medication and visit 3 two weeks after medication. Medication history review, nasal symptom assessment and anterior rhinoscopy were done at each visit. Patients were evaluated for rhinorrhea, sneezing and nasal obstruction on a scale. Total symptom complex score [TSCS] was calculated by adding scores of all three variables under study using proforma. RESULTS: 106 patients were included in study; 62 male and 44 female. TSCS was 9-10 in 73.3% patients at visit 1 in levocetirizine group that improved to 4-5 in 28.3% and 3-4 in 65% patients at visit 2 and 3 respectively. Patients receiving fexofenadine had TSCS of 9 to 10 in 52.9% at visit 1 with an improvement to 3 - 4 in 9.4% and 49.1% at visit 2 and visit 3 respectively. Levocetirizine is superior to fexofenadine in controlling overall symptoms of AR in our study