Bukstein Donald A, Lapine Thomas J
University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Health Sciences Learning Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
Postgrad Med. 2008 Jul;120(2):101-10. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2008.07.1797.
Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common presentations of allergic disorders in the United States, affecting more than 20% of the population. Chronic rhinitis affects patients' quality of life and exacerbates comorbid conditions. Its widespread burden affects society by substantially decreasing worker and scholastic productivity. Allergic rhinitis is typically managed with pharmacotherapy to alleviate symptoms and control comorbid conditions, yet many of these agents carry their own burden due to bothersome and sometimes severe side effects that can compromise patient safety. A new generation of non- or less-sedating antihistamines has recently emerged. These agents offer the promise of enhanced efficacy and tolerability. Of these agents, levocetirizine is the latest antihistamine introduced in the United States. It appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. In addition to covering the above topics, this article reviews the value of levocetirizine for the treatment of allergic rhinitis based on its pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic profile, its efficacy compared with placebo and other new-generation antihistamines, and its safety and tolerability.
变应性鼻炎是美国变应性疾病最常见的表现之一，影响超过20%的人口。慢性鼻炎会影响患者的生活质量，并加重合并症。其广泛的负担通过大幅降低工作效率和学习效率而影响社会。变应性鼻炎通常采用药物治疗来缓解症状和控制合并症，但其中许多药物由于令人烦恼且有时严重的副作用会影响患者安全，自身也存在负担。最近出现了新一代非镇静或低镇静作用的抗组胺药。这些药物有望提高疗效和耐受性。在这些药物中，左西替利嗪是美国最近推出的抗组胺药。它似乎对治疗变应性鼻炎安全有效。除了涵盖上述主题外，本文还根据左西替利嗪的药理和药代动力学特性、与安慰剂及其他新一代抗组胺药相比的疗效以及其安全性和耐受性，综述了其治疗变应性鼻炎的价值。
