Pseudoephedrine and Montelukast Equally Effective for Allergic Rhinitis
Pseudoephedrine and Montelukast Equally Effective for Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Over-the-counter decongestant pseudoephedrine and prescription medication montelukast have been shown equally effective in relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis and improving quality of life, according to a small study published in the Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery.
Allergic rhinitis is defined as congestion and inflammation of the nasal passages associated with seasonal allergies, such as hay fever. The condition affects about 40 million Americans annually, and symptoms include sneezing, runny and itchy nose, and throat and nasal congestion, according to study authors Samatha M Mucha, MD, and colleagues at the University of Chicago.
These symptoms may also cause more serious consequences, including sleep problems, daytime sleepiness and reduced productivity. Drugs available to treat the condition include pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (a non-prescription drug) and montelukast sodium (a prescription drug).
Pseudoephedrine is sold under several brand names in the US, including Afrinol, Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetapp, Drixoral, Sudafed and Triaminic AM. Montelukast is sold under brand name Singulair.
Clinical Trial
The study compared the effectiveness of pseudoephedrine versus montelukast among 58 adults with confirmed ragweed allergic rhinitis. Participants took one medication each morning for two weeks and recorded their symptoms and quality of life at the beginning of the study. In total, 30 patients received montelukast and 28 took pseudoephedrine.
Both montelukast and pseudoephedrine reduced all allergic rhinitis symptoms, including congestion, runny nose and sneezing, and improved quality of life. Pseudoephedrine more effectively alleviated nasal congestion than montelukast. Both medications improved nasal peak inspiratory flow, which gauges nasal congestion by measuring airflow into the nose.
Although pseudoephedrine has been associated with a variety of side effects-including nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, dry mouth and palpitations-in previous studies, neither drug caused significant side effects in this investigation.
"Both medications were well tolerated, and pseudoephedrine did not lead to any of its well-known stimulant adverse effects, likely owing to its once-daily administration in the morning and lower blood levels in the later hours of the day closer to bedtime," the authors write.
Source:
Comparison of Montelukast and Pseudoephedrine in the Treatment of
Allergic Rhinitis. Samantha M Mucha, MD, et al, Archives of
Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, volume 132(2), pages
164-172, February 2, 2006.
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