[Allergic bronchial asthma treated with Loratadine]

To test the efficacy and tolerability of loratadin, a new anthihistaminic agent in allergic bronchial asthma administered as adjunctive treatment in persistent asthma.

Eight-week open clinical trial. The 25 ambulatory patients retained existing treatment for asthma during the duration of the study. A two-week period of observation without the drug under investigation was followed by a six-week therapeutic phase, during which a single daily dose of 10 mg loratadine was taken. H1 antihistaminics, DNCG, ketotifene and systemic corticoids were not permitted. To monitor the therapeutic effect, the lung function parameters (VC, FEV1, peak flow, resistance) and the symptom score were established.

In comparison with the results of lung function testing during the pre-phase, the loratadine phase improved the parameters by up to 21%. The number of apneic events recorded in the patient's diary decreased by about 52%, the attacks of coughing diminished in the evaluation score from 8.5 to 3.0. For the rest, a significant decrease in the consumption of inhalative sympathomimetics was noted. In the overall assessment, 71% of the patients noted a good therapeutic response.

The results of this study show that loratadine, employed as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma has a positive effect on symptomatology.