Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit moderner Antihistaminika in der Therapie allergischer Erkrankungen nachfolgend auf eine Anwendung generischer Antihistaminika

In a prospective practice survey, the courses of treatment of 1.243 patients with allergic diseases treated with oral antihistamines were documented by allergologists. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of third generation antihistamines following a treatment with OTC antihistamine generics. The mean age of patients was 38.4 years, the proportion of women was 56%. A total of 30% of patients were diagnosed with intermittent and 57% with persistent allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Other allergic diseases of the airways (possibly in addition) were seen in 15%, and chronic urticaria in 16% of patients. The switch to a 3rd generation antihistamine provided benefits especially for patients with strong to severe nasal obstruction in 64% of patients with intermittent and 53% of patients with persistent rhinoconjunctivitis. Furthermore, 61% of patients with chronic urticaria suffering from strong to severe pruritus achieved an improvement of symptoms when switched to a modem antihistamine. The tolerability of the antihistamine was rated as good or very good by 84% of generic drug users and by 96% of patients receiving a 3rd generation drug. The prevalence of adverse events was 5.4% under generic drugs and 1.7% under 3rd generation antihistamines. This practice survey documented a benefit for patients with allergic diseases switched from a generic to a 3rd generation antihistamine, both for symptom improvement and better tolerability as well as for improved patient information.