Assessing patient satisfaction with desloratadine after conversion from loratadine, fexofenadine, or cetirizine.

A number of prescription and nonprescription nonsedating antihistamines are available for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. From a managed care perspective, determining the extent to which a medication conversion to desloratadine from loratadine, fexofenadine, or cetirizine results in maintained or increased patient satisfaction with allergy care would be informative for formulary decision makers and other budget holders. To that end, a survey was undertaken of patient medication assessments after a switch in antihistamines. On average, patients who converted to desloratadine from loratadine, fexofenadine, or cetirizine reported increased satisfaction with desloratadine treatment.