ONSET OF ACTION, EFFECTIVENESS AND TOLERANCE OF LEVOCABASTINE AND NEDOCROMIL IN TOPICAL THERAPY OF SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINOCONJUNCTIVITIS

This study evaluated the effectiveness and the onset of action of levo cabastine (CAS 79547-78-7) nasal spray and eyedrops as well as of nedo cromil (CAS 69049-74-7) nasal spray and eyedrops in practical relevant circumstances. The study was designed as an open observational study with parallel groups in 10 centres and comprised 102 patients. All pat ients presented with seasonal allergic rhinitis and evidenced conjunct ival symptoms requiring therapy The patients as well as the investigat ors were required to rate the symptoms using symptom scores in order t o evaluate the effectiveness of the used drugs. The effectiveness acco rding to symptom scores did not differ significantly between investiga tor's and patient's judgement. Onset of action was within the first ho ur in 81.6 % of the patients treated with levocabastine and in 82.9 % of the patients treated with nedocromil. Symptoms were evaluated on a visual analogue scale ranging from 0 to 100. The use of both substance s reduced the severity of the reported symptoms by 50 % within the fir st hour. Thus, no significant difference in the onset of action could be observed even though a later onset of action was expected of the st abiliser of mast cell membranes. Both drugs were tolerated well.