Management of Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

ABBREVIATIONS: EIB, exercise-induced bronchospasm; IL4, interleukin 4; IL5, interleukin 5; MFNS, mometasone furoate nasal spray; RANTES, regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted; QOL, quality of life Allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic childhood disease. Reduced quality of life is frequently caused by this IgE-mediated disease, including sleep disturbance with subsequent decreased school performance. Asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm are commonly seen concurrently with allergic rhinitis, and poorly controlled allergic rhinitis negatively affects asthma outcomes. Nonsedating antihistamines or intranasal azelastine are effective agents to manage allergic rhinitis, often in combination with oral decongestants. For moderate to severe persistent disease, intranasal corticosteroids are the most effective agents. Some patients require concomitant intranasal corticosteroids and nonsedating antihistamines for optimal management. Other available agents include leukotriene receptor antagonists, intranasal cromolyn, intranasal ipratropium, specific immunotherapy, and anti-IgE therapy.

Montelukast: a better alternative than antihistaminics in allergic rhinitis

“…Adverse effects attributed to this include marked sedation, central nervous system dysfunction and anticholinergic adverse effects resulting in cognitive function impairment. 6 The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the nocturnal symptoms such difficulty in going to sleep, night time awakening and nasal congestion/obstruction on awakening among allergic rhinitis patients after administration of montelukast, chlorpheniramine meleate, levocetrizine, desloratidine, fexofenadine. The present study found that levocetirizine provided immediate effect at two weeks which is significantly better than other drugs.…”