Comparison of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist and Antihistamine Therapy in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Leukotrienes and histamine are both early and late phase mediators in allergic rhinitis. Histamine causes nasal itching, rhinorrhea and sneezing. Leukotrienes cause nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Montelukast is a potent leukotriene receptor antagonist. Loratadine is a nonsedating antihistamine. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of montelukast and loratadine in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. In this study, 78 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were randomly allocated to receive 1 of the following 4 treatments for 20 days: montelukast 10 mg (1st group) (n=20), montelukast 10 mg with loratadine 10 mg (2nd group) (n=19), loratadine 10 mg (3rd group) (n=20) and placebo (4th group) (n=19). Before and after medical treatment, complaint and rhinoscopic findings of patients were compared statistically. Our results showed that concomitant loratadine and montelukast treatment was the most effective therapy among the 4 groups alone. There was no difference between the 1st group and the 3rd group. Second group may provide better relief in allergic rhinitis symptoms. Concomitant antihistamine and leukotriene receptor antagonist usage may provide additive clinical relief for allergic rhinitis.

Keywords

• allergic rhinitis
• montelukast
• loratadine.