A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FEXOFENADINE WITH CHLORPHENIRAMINE MALEATE AND BETAMETHASONE IN ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine with chlorpheniramine and betamethasone in allergic rhinitis. Methods: This was a prospective observational study on 75 patients of allergic rhinitis. They were randomly divided into 3 groups of 25 patients each for receiving fexofenadine, chlorpheniramine and betamethasone respectively. Improvement of symptoms after treatment was assessed in each group. Changes in absolute eosinophil count and serum IgE levels were also recorded. Results: Symptomatic improvement was similar with all the 3 drugs. Physical signs of nasal allergy reduced more with chlorpheniramine. Only betamethasone produced a significant fall in absolute eosiniphil count and a significant rise in serum IgE levels. Chlorpheniramine caused more adverse effects, mainly drowsiness and dry mouth. Conclusion: Fexofenadine was better tolerated by patients as it caused lesser adverse effects. All the three drugs in this study showed similar efficacy in controlling the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.