Efficacy of a Combination with Pranlukast and Cetirizine in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Kim, Dong Ju; Jeon, Sea Young; Kim, Jin Pyeong; Ahn, Seong Ki; Kim, Beom Gyu

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
It has been suggested that the combination of a leukotriene receptor antagonist with an antihistamine may have beneficial effects in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study were to evaluate the effects of combining a leukotriene receptor antagonist, pranlukast, and an antihistamine, cetirizine, to treat nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis and the quality of life of the patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty-three patients with allergic rhinitis were enrolled in this study. The control group (n=12) received 5 mg cetirizine plus 120 mg pseudoephedrine twice a day while the study group (n=21) received 5 mg cetirizine plus 225 mg pranlukast twice a day. Patients completed a daily symptom-score list for nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal itching during the 7-day treatment period. They also answered the quality of life questionnaire before and after the completion of 7-day treatment. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in the nasal symptoms after the treatment in the control and the study group. However, there was no significant difference between the control and the study group on the improvement of nasal symptom-scores except for the rhinorrhea symptom-score. There were significant improvements in the quality of life domain after the treatment in the control group and the study group. However, there was no significant difference between the control and the study group on the improvement in quality of life domain except for activity limitations. CONCLUSION: A combination of pranlukast and cetirizine is as effective as a combination of pseudoephedrine and cetirizine in treating allergic rhinitis. Therefore, a combination of pranlukast and cetirizine may be another therapeutic alternative for allergic rhinitis patients who are not tolerable of pseudoephedrine.