Therapeutic effect of astemizole and terfenadine in students suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis: A double-blind comparison

Ninety-seven university students presenting with hay fever symptoms were evaluated in a double-blind randomized study comparing astemizole 10 mg o.d. with terfenadine 60 mg b.i.d. Patients were seen at bi-weekly intervals by their treating physician and scored their symptoms daily for a period of 4 weeks. Breaking the code revealed that 45 patients had received astemizole and 52 terfenadine. Both groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, weight, duration of disease, and symptom severity at start. At the end of treatment, symptom ratings showed a significant improvement of all typical hay fever symptoms in both treatment groups except for blocked nose. Global evaluation of treatment, however, was significantly in favour of the astemizole group of which 71% of the patients were considered as excellent or good responders, as compared to 55% in the terfenadine group. Neither of the two compounds was associated with sedative effects; other side effects were virtually absent in both groups.