BACKGROUND:
Several drugs for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis and its symptoms have been investigated since some years ago.
These drugs are: steroidal-type immunoregulators, immunotherapy and antihistamines. Because of first generation of the last
ones originated several side effects, pharmacological research was oriented to the search of formulas with the same of higher
efficacy, but with fewer effects on central nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of epinastine 10
mg plus pseudoephedrine 120 mg vs loratadine 5 mg plus pseudoephedrine 120 mg, twice a day, in the treatment of perennial
allergic rhinitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative, random, open, prospective, longitudinal and multicenter study was
made in 62 patients with an average age of 26.17 +/- 9.75 years (13-56 years) with diagnosis of perennial allergic rhinitis,
who attended to external consultation of the different departments of allergy of the participant institutions. All patients
were submitted to: complete clinical history, physical exploration, measurement of vital signs, nasal exploration, qualification
of allergic symptoms and record of daily symptoms. Moreover, washout during a week and pharmacological treatment was given
during two weeks. Symptoms referred by patient and findings of physical exploration during the different visits, as well as
rhinoscopic findings, were assessed by a scale of five parameters of rhinitis. Tolerance grade of drugs was assessed based
on frequency and severity of side effects. RESULTS: According to the basal clinical assessment symptoms qualification of
patients of groups of epinastine and loratadine was of 9.12 +/- 2.78 and 7.90 +/- 2.7, respectively.
Seven side effects appeared: three cases of somnolence, one of sickness and one of anxiety in patients of group of loratadine
and one case of somnolence and one of dysmenorrhea in the subjects of group of epinestine. Although it did not have statistically
significant difference, it is clinically important for patients. Frequency of side effects was higher in the loratadine group.
CONCLUSION: Both drugs are efficient for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.
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