Comparison of once daily dose of Chlorpheniramine (8 MG) and Citerizine (10 MG) in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and the adverse effect of 8 mg Chlorpheniramine once a day compared to 10 mg Cetirizine given at night for 7 days in terms of relieving perennial allergic symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Double-bline, randomized, cross-over clinical trial. METHODOLOGY: 79 perennial allergic rhinitis patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria and agreed to be enrolled in this study were randomized and allocated in two sequences of treatment. Patients were treated for 7 days and no drug given during the wash-out period. The result of the treatment was evaluated by subjective patient assessment using symptom rating scale and by physician assessment using sign rating scale? Sedation adverse effects was measured by 7 point Stanford sleepiness scale. RESULT: There was no significance difference between the success result of 8 mg Chlorpheniramine (71.55%) and 10 mg Cetirizine (77.52%). Anticholinergic effect of the two antihistamines was not difference while sedation effect during 8 mg Chlorpheniramine treatment (47.77%) was statistically significance more than sedation effect of 10 mg Cetirizine treatment (32.8%). From the cost-effectiveness analysis it was found that 8 mg Chlorpheniramine was more cost effective than 10 mg Cetirizine. IMPLICATION: 8 mg Chloprheniramine can be used as once daily dose for treating perennial alergic rhinitis patients. Information that there is posibility of existing sedation effect should be given to the patients when antihistamine received.