Comparative Study to Assess Clinical Efficacy of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist and Antihistamines in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Introduction Pharmacologic treatment options for allergic rhinitis include intranasal corticosteroids, oral and topical antihistamines, decongestants, intranasal cromolyn, intranasal anticholinergics and leukotriene receptor antagonists. The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonist and antihistamines in relieving nasal congestion/ obstruction symptom and itching /irritation in eyes. Material and Methods The study was conducted among 125 patients clinically diagnosed suffering from allergic rhinitis Patients were divided into 5 groups and were given oral treatment with oral antihistamines (chlorpheniramine maleate, levocetrizine, fexofenadine, desloratadine) and leukotriene receptor antagonist (montelukast) for a period of 6 weeks. The results were tabulated and analyzed by Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis test with p value <0.05 as significant value. Result For relieving nasal obstruction, levocetrizine group showed maximum improvement at 2 weeks. However, at the end of 6 weeks montelukast group showed maximum relief followed by levocetrizine and desloratidine. In relieving eye itching/irritation, montelukast and levocetirizine were equally effective. Fexofenadine and desloratadine were less effective in relieving nasal obstruction and eye itching/irritation followed by chlorpheniramine maleate, which was least effective. Conclusion Allergic rhinitis affects the social and professional life of patient. Allergen avoidance should be the initial step in the management of allergic rhinitis. Montelukast and levocetirizine are more effective in relieving nasal obstruction and eye itching/irritation compared to fexofenadine, desloratadine and chlorpheniramine maleate.