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Patients & Consumers Conditions En Español Find an Allergist / Immunologist Just for Kids New Research Parent Resources Pollen Levels Publications Real Life Stories Request a Speaker School Tools Seniors The Virtual Allergist™ Treatments Search by Condition (A-Z) Search by Topic Allergy & Asthma Issues Educational Brochures Elements of Allergy and Asthma Order Public Education Materials Washington Post Supplement Allergy Shots Drug Guide Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)		SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2008 September 30, 2007 Treatment with anti-leukotrienes vs antihistamines in allergic rhinitis Summary Background - Leukotriene antagonist (LA) agents have been marketed widely in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). How does such treatment compare with antihistamine (AH) therapy? Findings - Ho and Tan of the Veteran's General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan compared the effects of zafirlukast (an LA), cetirizine (an AH) alone in different dosages or in combination compared with placebo administration for 4 weeks in 120 adults with moderate to severe AR. They found that total symptoms decreased more in the active treated than in placebo treated groups. However, those treated with higher LA doses (twice daily) or low dose LA plus AH therapy did better than low dose LA or AH alone. Reference Am J Rhinol 2007;21:439-43 Editor's Comments Previous studies have concluded that treatment of AR with montelukast (another LA) was no better than the comparison AH and maybe not as effective. Some, but not other, studies found that LA used along with an AH conferred additional benefit. My overall impression is that neither LA or AH treatment are as effective as treatment with adequate doses of intranasal corticosteroids.   BACK
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