The Efficacy of Levocetirizine in Allergic Rhinitis in Children

Controversies about the preferred treatment of mild persistent or mild-to-moderate intermittent allergic rhinitis were considered in the study involved 62 primary school childrenю They were randomized to receive oral formulation of levocetirizine (5 mg/daily) or nasal/ophthalmologic form of sodium cromoglycate (20 mg/ml, 1–2 sprays/drops 4 times daily) for 2 weeks. At the end of the trial levocetirizine was 28 and 29 % more effective on the 1st and 2nd week of the treatment respectively (р < 0.05) comparing to sodium cromoglycate group. The drugs were comparable in reduction eye symptoms in children with associated allergic conjunctivitis (–45 % vs –45 % and –55 % vs –59 % respectively, p > 0.05). The use of levocetirizine improved compliance by 38 %, and quality of life by 46 % (р < 0.05) as compared to sodium cromoglycate treatment. The research concluded that levocetirizine is preferred in treatment of mild persistent or mild-to-moderate intermittent allergic rhinitis in children