Comparative effects of loratadine and azatadine in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The efficacy and safety of loratadine 10 mg once daily were compared with azatadine 1 mg twice daily in controlling symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The study was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group design involving 34 patients receiving either loratadine or azatadine for 14 days. Both treatments were effective in relieving the histamine-mediated symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. At baseline, 100% and 93% of the patients in the loratadine and azatadine treatment groups, respectively, had moderate or severe symptoms of disease; at endpoint of treatment 80% of the patients in the loratadine treatment group and 92% of those in the azatadine treatment group had mild or no disease symptoms. Sedation was reported by fewer patients in the loratadine treatment group than in the azatadine group. Thus loratadine is an effective and safe antihistamine when given once daily for the symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis.