THE EFFECT OF CETIRIZINE ON SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF NASAL POLYPOSIS

Forty-five patients with residual or recurrent nasal polyposis after e thmoidectomy were treated with either cetirizine at twice the daily re commended (20 mg) dose or placebo for three months. The number and siz e of polyps remained unchanged during the study period. Cetirizine was found to reduce nasal sneezing and rhinorrhoea effectively. The drug also had a beneficial effect on nasal obstruction in the latter part o f the study. The side effects of 20 mg (double the recommended daily a dult dose) of cetirizine were few and comparable to placebo.