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The effects of bilastine compared with cetirizine, fexofenadine, and placebo on allergen-induced nasal and ocular symptoms in patients exposed to aeroallergen in the Vienna Challenge Chamber

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Abstract

Objective and design

This double-blind cross-over study compared the potential of bilastine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Subjects and methods

Seventy-five allergic volunteers were challenged with grass pollen in the Vienna Challenge Chamber (VCC) on two consecutive days of allergen provocation; 6 h on day 1 and 4 h day 2. Bilastine 20 mg, cetirizine 10 mg, fexofenadine 120 mg, or placebo were taken orally 2 h after the start of provocation on day 1 only. Total nasal symptom scores, the global symptom scores, nasal secretions, and eye symptoms were assessed on both day 1 and day 2.

Results and conclusions

Bilastine had a rapid onset of action, within 1 h, and a long duration of action, greater than 26 h. Cetirizine was similar. Fexofenadine was similar on day 1 but less effective on day 2, indicating a shorter duration of action. Bilastine, like cetirizine and fexofenadine, was safe and well tolerated in this study.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank FAES FARMA, Bilbao, Spain, for financial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ENT Department, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Friedrich Horak

  2. VCC Department, Allergy Centre Vienna West, Huetteldorferstrasse 44, 1150, Vienna, Austria

    Petra Zieglmayer, René Zieglmayer & Patrick Lemell

Authors
  1. Friedrich Horak
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  2. Petra Zieglmayer
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  3. René Zieglmayer
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  4. Patrick Lemell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Friedrich Horak.

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Responsible Editor: C. Kasserra.

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Horak, F., Zieglmayer, P., Zieglmayer, R. et al. The effects of bilastine compared with cetirizine, fexofenadine, and placebo on allergen-induced nasal and ocular symptoms in patients exposed to aeroallergen in the Vienna Challenge Chamber. Inflamm. Res. 59, 391–398 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-009-0117-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-009-0117-4

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