Journal of Allergy & Therapy

Abstract

Efficacy of Montelukast and Levocetirizine as Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis

Vipan Gupta and Prithpal Singh Matreja

Antihistamines are effective in reducing majority of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but are ineffective for nasal congestion and nighttime symptoms. Montelukast have been found to provide quick relief. Comparison of Montelukast has been done with Antihistamines but data is limited. Hence, this study was done to compare the effectiveness of montelukast combined with levocetirizine once daily to levocetirizine alone for a 6-week treatment course of allergic rhinitis. In this randomized, open, parallel study, out of 102 patients were randomly assigned to receive montelukast and levocetirizine (treatment group) or levocetirizine alone (control group), 95 patients completed the entire 6 weeks of study. The primary outcome measure was the mean change of the total daytime nasal symptom score (PDTS) and secondary outcome measures were mean change of night time nasal, daytime eye and composite symptom (PNTS, PES, PCS). The change in total daytime nasal symptom, composite symptoms and nighttime nasal symptom scores was signifi cantly (p<0.05) greater in montelukast and levocetirizine group than in levocetirizine alone group. The change in daytime eye symptom scores was comparable in both the groups but not statistically significant (p=0.94). Montelukast combined with levocetirizine was effective in reducing daytime, nighttime, composite and daytime eye symptom score as compared to levocetrizine alone.