SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS, PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND ANTI-H1 AGENTS

Fifteen patients with documented seasonal allergic rhinitis were exerc ised submaximally on a treadmill for 6 minutes. Nasal flow was measure d by anterior rhinomanometry before and 4 min after exercise; histamin e, leukotrienes and prostaglandin D2 plasma levels were measured at th e same time. The procedure was carried out twice in a double-blind cro ssover fashion after 10 days' administration of placebo and cetirizine 20 mg/day. Cetirizine potentiates the beneficial effects of exercise on nasal flow and causes a significant decrease in plasma levels of th e above mediators.