Comparision Of Efficacy Of Levocetirizine With Montelucast And Levocetirizine Alone In Persistent Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of levocetirizine with montelukast and levocetirizine alone in
patients with persistent allergic rhinitis in our setup.
Material and Methods: Patients with symptoms of AR attending ENT clinic were registered
and divided into two groups based on drug given. Patients with odd numbers were included in
group A receiving levocetirizine 5mg with montelukast 10mg once daily while patients with even
numbers were included in group B receiving only levocetirizine 5mg once daily. Data was
collected at visit 1 prior to medication, visit 2 one week after medication and visit 3 two weeks after
medication. Medication history review, nasal symptom assessment and anterior rhinoscopy were
done at each visit. Patients were evaluated for rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal itching and nasal
obstruction on a scale. Total symptom complex score (TSCS) was calculated by adding scores of
all four variables under study using proforma. Lower the score more effective will be the drug.
Results: 124 patients were included in study; 63 male and 61 female. TSCS was 9 -10 in 73.3%
patients at visit 1 in levocetirizine group that improved to 4 5 in 28.3% and 3 - 4 in 65% patients at
visit 2 and 3 respectively. Patients receiving levocetirizine had TSCS of 9 to 10 in 52.9% at visit 1
with an improvement to 3 - 4 in 9.4% and 49.1% at visit 2 and visit 3 respectively. Conclusion:
Levocetirizine with montelukast is superior to levocetirizine alone in controlling overall symptoms
of AR in our study