Absence of central effects with levocabastine eye drops

Abstract

Twelve healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to receiving in a double-blind cross-over fashion levocabastine eye drops (0.5 mg/ml solution) and placebo. They were advised to instill 2 drops per eye, four times daily. Each treatment was administered for a period of 1 week. Before and after each treatment period psychomotor function was assessed using Critical Flicker Fusion Test and the Choice Reaction Time Test. At the same time intervals a subjective evaluation of sedation was given using a Visual Analogue of Sedation. Both objective and subjective measurements showed that no significant treatment effects could be detected. It is concluded that repeated instillations of levocabastine eye drops are devoid of any sedative side effects.

H1-Receptor Antagonists

“…Subjective information is obtained by having patients self-rate eNS symptoms such as somnolence, impairment of concentration, or fatigue, using a simple score system, a standardised score such as the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (Roth et al 1987), the Profile-of-Moods Questionnaire (Rice & Snyder 1993), a linear analogue rating scale, or a visual analogue scale (Alford et al 1989;Arriaga & Rombaut 1990;Bateman et al 1983;Betts et al 1984;Clarke & Nicholson 1978;Cohen et al 1985Cohen et al , 1987Dhorranintra et al 1986;Doms et al 1988;Gengo et al 1987;Goetz et al . Subjective information is obtained by having patients self-rate eNS symptoms such as somnolence, impairment of concentration, or fatigue, using a simple score system, a standardised score such as the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (Roth et al 1987), the Profile-of-Moods Questionnaire (Rice & Snyder 1993), a linear analogue rating scale, or a visual analogue scale (Alford et al 1989;Arriaga & Rombaut 1990;Bateman et al 1983;Betts et al 1984;Clarke & Nicholson 1978;Cohen et al 1985Cohen et al , 1987Dhorranintra et al 1986;Doms et al 1988;Gengo et al 1987;Goetz et al .…”

“…Subjective assessment of adverse effects has been performed in thousands of patients with chronic allergic rhinitis or chronic urticaria (reviewed in Simons & Simons 1993. Performance tests for assessment of the effect of H I-antagonists on learned tasks involve sensorimotor coordination, memory, CNS arousal/information processing, and psychomotor tests (Adelsberg & D' Amico-Beadon 1990;Arriaga & Rombaut 1990;Bateman et al 1983;Bradley & Nicholson 1987;Bums & Moskowitz 1980;Chapman & Rawlins 1982;Clarke & Nicholson 1978;Cohen et al 1985Cohen et al , 1987De Roeck et al 1990;Dhorranintra et al 1986;Doms et al 1988;Gaillard et al 1988;Gengo et al 1987Gengo et al , 1990Goetz et al 1989Goetz et al , 1991Hindmarch & Bhatti 1987;Hindmarch & Easton 1986;Hindmarch & Parrott 1978;Kohl et al 1987;Kulshrestha et al 1978;Levander et al 1991;Mattila et al 1992Mattila et al , 1993Moser et al 1978Moser et al , 1983Moskowitz & Bums 1988;Murri et al 1992;Nicholson & Stone 1982, 1986Offenloch & Zahner 1992;Reinberg et al 1978;Rombaut et al 1991;Roth et al 1987;Seppala & Savolainen 1982;…”

The therapeutic index of newer H1‐receptor antagonists

“…and loratadine [30.41-46] have been reasonably well studied. Aerivastine [47], ketotifen [48,49], ebastine [50,51], levocabastine [52,53], and azelastine require further evaluation. Aerivastine ketotifen, levocabastine, and perhaps azelastine appear to have some sedative properties; levocabastine and azelastine have been developed for topica!…”

Antihistamines: topical vs oral administration

“…The topical administration of levoeabastine to the nasal mucosa or to the eye does not cause significant sedation [33]. Tlie most frequently reported side-effects associated with the use of topical levoeabastine include nasai and ocular iriitation in 5-10% of patients, though this was not significantly different from placebo [24,34].…”