Efficacy of Loratadine Versus Fexofenadine in Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Background: Allergic rhinitis is the disease mediated by immunoglobulin E. Anti-histamines are the main therapeutic option.Fexofenadine is the selective histamine H1-receptor antagonist that does not cross the blood brain barrier. Loratadine is the tricyclic anti-histamine, which acts as a selective inverse agonist of peripheral histamine H1-receptors. Both these anti-histaminesare second generation.Objective:To compare the efficacy of loratadine versus fexofenadine in relievingthe symptoms of allergic rhinitis.Material and Methods:This Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted at the Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery,Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from April to October 2020. Sample size of 270 cases (135patients in each group), were recruited by applying non-probability, consecutive sampling technique. Patients aged from 12 to 60years,both genders, with allergic rhinitis were included and divided randomly into two groups by lottery method. Group 1 receivedLoratadine 10 mg once daily for two weeks.Group 2 received fexofenadine 60 mg twice daily fortwo weeks. Total“rhinitis symptomseverity scores” was estimated at baseline and two weeks after treatment. Efficacy was determined on the basis of Improvementscore of 61-100%.All the information was recorded on proforma.Data was analysed in SPSS v. 22.Results:Inthis study, the mean age of patients was 33±2.11 years inloratadine group while 30 ±1.26 years in fexofenadine group.There were 42 males and 58 females. Efficacy of treatment was achieved in 92% cases with loratadine while in 85% cases withFexofenadine (p>0.05).Conclusion:Loratadine showedbetter therapeutic response than fexofenadine, however the difference was insignificant.Keywords:Loratadine,Fexofenadine,Allergic rhinitis