Comparison of mizolastine with loratadine in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.

Mizolastine is a new, non-sedating antihistamine providing satisfactory symptomatic relief in seasonal allergic rhinitis. The purpose of this study has been to compare mizolastine to loratadine in perennial allergic rhinitis. This multicentre, double-blind study has involved 68 patients, randomly allocated, after a one-week placebo run-in, to 10 mg mizolastine or 10 mg loratadine, both given on a once-daily basis, for four weeks. Comparable symptom relief occurs in both groups resulting, respectively for mizolastine and loratadine, in a 66.6% and a 61.3% decrease in total nasal score, to a 74.8% and a 76.4% decrease in total ocular score, and to a 69.0% and a 64.8% decrease in global total score. Safety is satisfactory in both groups. Mizolastine is at least as effective as loratadine in relieving perennial allergic rhinitis symptoms and its safety profile allows its use in the treatment of this disease.