Evaluation of efficacy of topical and systemic antihistaminic drugs in children with allergic rhinitis

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of topical and systemic antihistaminic drugs in children with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: Thisprospective, hospital-based study was conducted on children aged 6-18 years attending pediatric and ENT OPD. The childrenwith a clinical diagnosis of AR were selected for study and were divided into two groups randomly. Group A children receivedoral second generation antihistamine levocetrizine and Group B children received intranasal antihistaminic drug azelastine. Bothgroups received medications for 4 weeks. A post therapy response was recorded in the form of symptomatic and histopathologicalresponse. Results: There was better symptomatic response for sneezing and rhinorrhea with levocetrizine than azelastine but betterresponse for nasal blockage with azelastine. There was no significant difference in histopathological response of both groups.Conclusion: Levocetrizine was showing better symptomatic response as topical azelastine and also showing better acceptability