G. Ciprandi et al., Long-term cetirizine treatment reduces allergic symptoms and drug prescriptions in children with mite allergy, ANN ALLER A, 87(3), 2001, pp. 222-226
Background: Experimental data demonstrate that incite allergy is characteri
zed by persistent chronic inflammation, even during asymptomatic periods. T
his suggests that long-term continuous treatment be included in the global
strategy of allergy treatment.
Objective: We conducted a study to evaluate whether regularly administered
cetirizine reduces allergic symptoms and drug prescriptions in children wit
h mite allergy.
Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, two pa
rallel groups of 10 children with mite allergy (mean age: 6.5 years) receiv
ed either cetirizine or placebo daily for 6 months. Participants were allow
ed to take rescue medications for rhinitis and/or mild asthma. The symptoms
(nasal itching, sneezing, obstruction, rhinorrhea, conjunctival itching, l
acrimation, conjunctival hyperemia, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness) w
ere recorded on a diary card. The intake of cetirizine (as additional sympt
omatic treatment), antibiotics, acetaminophen, beta (2)- agonists, inhaled
and systemic corticosteroids was also recorded.
Results: Symptom scores and drug consumption were significantly lower (P <
0.05) in the cetrizine-treated group versus the placebo group. The greatest
reductions were in cetirizine itself, inhaled corticosteroids, <beta>(2)-a
gonists, and antibiotics. No side effects were reported in either group.
Conclusions: In mite-allergic children, cetirizine administered daily for p
rolonged periods decreases symptoms of and drug prescriptions for allergic
rhinitis and asthma compared with symptomatic treatment.