Background: Allergic rhinitis is most common non-infectious rhinitis. It is a hypersensitivity disease of nasal mucous membrane mediated by immunoglobulin E characterized by sneezing, itching, watery nasal discharge, and nasal blockade. Allergic rhinitis is condition managed largely in general practice and oral antihistamines are preferred most commonly. Antihistamines differ among each other from potential toxicity perspective, this comparative study between fexofenadine and chlorpheniramine is undertaken to know the differentiating aspects, symptomatic improvements in allergic rhinitis.
Aim and Objective: To study the efficacy of fexofenadine with chlorpheniramine maleate in patients with allergic rhinitis.
Materials and Methods: A comparative study was done on 70 patients of allergic rhinitis after obtaining informed consent in ENT outpatient department where the patients were randomly allocated into one of the following groups: (1) Group A: 35 patients were given Tab. fexofenadine 120 mg and (2) Group B: 35 patients were given Tab. chlorpheniramine 4 mg. Patients were asked to follow up after 2 weeks to know symptomatic improvement assessed before and after the treatment and adverse effects of drugs.
Results: In Group A (fexofenadine), mean age of the patients was 34.95 years, and in Group B (chlorpheniramine), it was 40.17 years. About 57% of patients had intermittent symptoms in Group A and 43% in Group B. There was a significant reduction in severity of individual symptoms in patients in Group A when compared to Group B (P < 0.001). Symptoms score has decreased from baseline mean by 100% in Group A as compared to 92% in Group B. Except for nasal itching there was marked reduction in other symptoms in Group A compared to Group B.
Conclusion: Fexofenadine is better with relieving the symptoms than chlorpheniramine, adverse effects were seen more commonly in chlorpheniramine.
Key words: Fexofenadine; Chlorpheniramine; Allergic Rhinitis
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