Pharmacoeconomic assessment and comparing efficacy between cetirizine, levocetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine in allergic rhinitis patients

Background: A successful treatment of allergic rhinitis is considered not only as relief from sneezing, itching, rhinorrhoea, congestion but also as the functional impact on the patient’s daily life. The cost of treating allergic rhinitis and indirect costs related to loss of workplace productivity are substantial.Methods: The present study was single centered, open label, randomized, four Arm, parallel-group, comparative clinical study between orally administered Cetirizine, Levocetirizine, Loratadine and Fexofenatidine in patients with allergic rhinitis conducted at MIMER Medical college and Dr. Bhausaheb Sardesai hospital in rural Maval Taluka in Pune district of Maharashtra State.Results: Total Nasal Symptom Score differs significantly for all the treatment groups. Subsequent pairwise contrasts using a Bonferroni adjustment reveals maximum reduction of symptoms in Levocetirizine group. Cost effectiveness ratio was effective for Levocetirizine followed by Cetirizine, Loratadine, and Fexofenadine.Conclusions: From the analysis of results, the study shows that both Levocetirizine and Cetirizine control the symptoms of allergic rhinitis better as compared to Loratadine and Fexofenadine but Levocetirizine was a better choice in comparison to others due to its cost effectiveness.