Cetirizine in patients with seasonal rhinitis and concomitant asthma: prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Immunotherapy as an effective tool in allergy treatment

“…The efficacy of immunotherapy in many studies was higher than for results obtained by antihistamines (73) and equivalent to the reduction in clinical symptoms obtained by standard doses of intranasal or inhaled corticosteroids (74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80). In asthmatic patients (77), the total symptom score after 1 year of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids was reduced by 10% (nonsignificant), and another study (80) showed a reduction in symptoms by 25%.…”

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008*

“…They can also have pharyngitis, cough and wheezing (1940). In most patients, chest symptoms are not associated with a measurable airflow obstruction (1940)(1941)(1942). Moreover, true asthma exacerbations may occur during dry days in some patients naturally exposed to pollens (1943,1944), probably because pollen allergens can be born by submicronic particles which can penetrate deeply into the airways (399).…”

“…Drugs administered by the oral route may have an effect on both nasal and bronchial symptoms (2027). Oral H 1 -antihistamines represent the first-line treatment of allergic rhinitis but although studies have found some effect on asthma symptoms (1942,(2028)(2029)(2030), many negative studies are unpublished and pulmonary function tests are unchanged. These drugs are not recommended for the treatment of asthma (2031,2032).…”

Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma: Can the March be Halted?

“…Although histamine is a proven asthma mediator, H 1 -antihistamines have rather inconsistent effects in asthma challenge models, BHR, and symptoms of perennial and seasonal asthma. Studies indicate that cetirizine [42] and loratadine (plus pseudoephedrine) [43] in recommended doses exert beneficial effects on seasonal AR patients with mild asthma symptoms. In an older meta-analysis of studies involving antihistamine use in persistent adult asthma, the beneficial effects noticed were found to be out-weighed by adverse effects [44].…”