Vol.102 No.8 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 102 No. 8 August 2009
Prophylactic Treatment with Loratadine for Cedar Pollinosis
Yukiyoshi Hyo and Dai Shibata
(Kawasaki Medical School, Satou Memorial Hospital)
Katsumi Masuda
(Kawasaki Medical School, Ako Central Hospital)
Tamotsu Harada, Shodai Monju, Shiro Kosaka, Toshihiro Tachi,
Masako Uno, Yukitake Mori, Teruhito Aihara and Takeshi Akisada
(Kawasaki Medical School)
Tsuyoshi Yoshihiro
(Yoshihiro ENT Clinic)
Naoki Nishida and Shigetoshi Yoda
(Kawasaki Medical School, Kagamino Health Insurance Hospital)
Suetaka Nishiike
(Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine)
Loratadine, which blocks the peripheral H1 receptor, is a long-acting antihistamine with minimal sedative effects when given at the recommended dose. This present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of loratadine in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis, using the Japan rhino-conjuctivitis quality of life questionnaire (JRQLQ).
The subjects consisted of 189 patients who consulted our hospitals and clinics during the peak pollen exposure season in 2007 (between Feburary 26 and March 10). The patients were divided into two groups; patients who had taken loratadine once daily prior to entering this study were classified as the treated group (n＝65), while patients without any previous treatment were classified as the non-treated group (n＝124).
The results showed that the nasal symptoms in the treated group were milder than those in the untreated group, and that furthermore, the treated group could maintain a good quality of life.
In years with extensive scattering of Japanese cedar pollen, prophylactic treatment with loratadine is effective, safe and should be considered when choosing a strongly effective drug for prophylactic treatment.
Key words :prophylactic treatent, loratadine, cedar pollen