[Multicenter study on the efficacy of Zyrtec (Cetirizine) in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis in 875 adolescents]. / Etude multicentrique sur l'efficacité de Zyrtec (Cétirizine) dans le traitement des rhinites allergiques perannuelles de 875 adolescents.

875 adolescents of both sexes, aged between 12 and 15 years, who had presented with a perennial allergic rhinitis, were included in an open study that was conducted by pediatricians and allergologists on the efficacy of ZYRTEC (CETIRIZINE). There were four evaluations in the study, at Day-10, D 0, D15 and D30 and it was conducted according to the following plan: A first period (D-10 to D 0) to establish the eligibility of the subjects to be tested, and to establish the clinical allergic history, before definitive inclusion at D 0. A second period, of therapy, of 30 days, during which the subjects took a 10 mg tablet of ZYRTEC as a daily dose. Efficacy was evaluated at each visit by scores of intensity of major symptoms (sneezing, nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, nasal pruritus) and secondary symptoms (ocular score ... ) of rhinitis, as well as anterior rhinoscopy. The patients made an auto-evaluation of symptoms at different times. Analysis of the different parameters showed a real efficacy of ZYRTEC, for 30 days of treatment, in young patients. Furthermore, the tolerance of the product is excellent. This study has shown an overall improvement in the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis in patients who were treated with ZYRTEC in conditions similar to those of usual medical practice by pediatricians and allergologists.

[Multicenter hospital study on the efficacy of Zyrtec (R) (cetirizine) compared to a placebo, in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis in 254 adolescents aged 12-15]. / Etude multicentrique hospitalière sur l'efficacité de Zyrtec (cétirizine) comparé à un placebo, dans le traitement des rhinites allergiques perannuelles de 254 adolescents de 12 à 15 ans.

In this multicenter parallel group randomized trial 254 teenagers, aged 12-15, suffering from perennial allergic rhinitis were investigated. Four evaluations (D-10, D0, D15, D30) were performed according to the following design: a 10-day run-in period (D-10, D0) to determine/establish the patient eligibility and to perform an allergologic checkup. The decision to include the patient was made at D0 according to selection criteria. a 30-day treatment period (D0 to D30). The patient received either cetirizine 10 mg once a day or placebo given in a double blind way according to randomization. Efficacy was assessed at each visit with a nasal symptom score (sneezing, rhinorrhea, obstruction, pruritus) and an ocular symptom score (watery eyes, conjunctival pruritus, red eyes). In addition, an objective evaluation was performed by means of anterior rhinoscopy. Global evaluations by the investigator and the patient on visual analog scales were assessed. Side effects were recorded. At baseline there was no significant difference between the two groups. At day 15 and day 30, all symptoms, subjective as well as objective, were significantly improved in the cetirizine group. Tolerance was good with no significant difference between cetirizine and placebo.