A 12-week, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of ebastine, 10 and 20 mg once daily, in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Multicentre Study Group.

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study investigated the ability of ebastine, 10 and 20 mg once daily, to control symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) over a 12-week period, and assessed additional benefits of the 20-mg dose. Following a 2-week baseline period, patients (12-63 years) were randomized to treatment with ebastine 10 mg (n=88) or 20 mg (n=102), or placebo (n=100). Patients scored symptom severity (0-3) twice daily, and mean changes from baseline scores showed ebastine to be significantly effective in week 1. Control of symptoms persisted over the 12 weeks, the average daily total nasal symptom score for nasal stuffiness plus nasal discharge plus sneezing plus itchy nose being reduced by both doses, with statistical significance at 20 mg (P=0.015 vs placebo) despite decreased usage of sodium cromoglycate rescue medications. Patient and clinician final opinions of treatment also significantly favoured ebastine, both 10 and 20 mg, over placebo. No serious adverse events occurred, and study treatments were well tolerated with a low incidence of central nervous system-related adverse events and headache. In conclusion, ebastine 10 or 20 mg once daily was rapidly effective in relieving symptoms of PAR in adult and adolescent patients; additional benefits of the 20-mg dose became apparent in the longer term.