NONSEDATING ANTIHISTAMINES - FACT OF FICT ION

For many allergic patients sedation is the most severe side effect of antihistamine treatment. The reduction of this attribute is a major ob jective of drug development. Topical application of antihistamines wit h known sedative potential may be a solution to the problem. In compar ative clinical double blind studies using the new H-1 receptor antagon ist Azelastine which was applied topically as nasal spray, no sedation was detected. These studies carried out in the years 1992 and 1993 by our department included 806 patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis. It was found that patients' vigilance increased under treat ment.