Dhorranintra B

A Clinical Comparison of Cetirizine Versus Astemizole in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

SummaryThe rapidity of action, efficacy and tolerability of cetirizine and astemizole, 2 second generation H1-receptor antagonists, were investigated in patients in a 1-month double-blind parallel randomised study. 59 patients known to be perennial rhinitis sufferers completed the study; 30 patients received a regimen of cetirizine 10mg and 29 received astemizole 10mg.Symptoms were assessed at days 1, 14 and 28 by the investigator, and were scored daily by the patients. In addition, the H1 antagonist activity was measured using several allergens, intradermal skin tests and a nasal histamine sensitivity test (NHST).The time to relief of symptoms was recorded by the patients in minutes, hours or days. A 10cm visual analogue scale was used for the assessment of the patients’ general condition.The results showed a faster relief of symptoms and a better effect on rhinorrhoea with cetirizine (p < 0.03). NHST was significantly improved with both astemizole and cetirizine compared with baseline data, but there was no significant difference between astemizole and cetirizine. Patients’ reports also indicated that cetirizine relieved the symptoms faster than astemizole, at mean times of 0.58 and 13.6 hours, respectively (p < 0.01). Both products were similarly well tolerated, with mild and transient drowsiness affecting 4 of 30 patients taking cetirizine and 4 of 29 patients taking astemizole.

Survey of atmospheric pollens in various provinces of Thailand.

Thailand as well as other Southeast Asian Countries are situated in the tropical zone. They are evergreen agricultural countries with warm and humid climate. Therefore the atmospheric pollens and fungal spores occur abundantly throughout the year.

Aeroallergens in northern and southern provinces of Thailand

Abstract An aeroallergen survey in two provinces, Chiangmai in the northern and Songkhla in the southern part of Thailand which are 1 500 km apart, was done in 1986 and 1987 using a rotorod sampler. The five most common pollen types and mold spores were: Chiangmai: Mold spores: Cladosporium, rust, Fusarium, Nigrospora, 1-celled spore. Pollen grains: Mimosa, wild grasses, Urticaceae, Cyperaceae, tetrad pollen. Songkhla: Mold spores: Cladosporium, rust, Nigrospora, Papularia, 1-celled spore. Pollen grains: Casuarina, Mimosa, Urticaceae, Cyperaceae, wild grass. There were definite differences in the amount and frequency of occurrences of aeroallergens between these two provinces. Furthermore, some specific pollen and mold spores, such as tetrads and Mimosa pollen, were found only in Chiangmai, and Casuarina pollen and Papularia spores only in Songkhla. These findings might be caused by the differences in geography, plantation and meteorological data.