Desloratadine reduces nasal congestion in patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis

Nasal congestion is among the most bothersome of the symptoms of intermitte nt allergic rhinitis (IAR). Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine are often accompanied by adverse effects and should be avoided by patients with hype rtension, arrhythmia, and other medical conditions. Most of the currently a vailable antihistamines are ineffective for nasal congestion. Oral deslorat adine, a new, potent H-1-receptor antagonist, was examined for its ability to relieve nasal congestion/stuffiness in 346 patients (172 in the deslorat adine group and 174 in the placebo group) with IAR. Desloratadine, administ ered once daily at a dose of 5 mg, demonstrated significant improvement in nasal congestion/stuffiness at all time points assessed in the study. This benefit was observed as early as the first patient evaluation on day 2 and continued throughout the 2 weeks of the study. Desloratadine is a new treat ment option for patients with IAR and nasal congestion.