Efficacy and safety of desloratadine/pseudoephedrine tablet, 2.5/120 mg two times a day, versus individual components in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis

Although antihistamines are highly effective in alleviating many symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), relief from nasal congestion is variable. The efficacy of desloratadine, an effective antihistamine, in combination with pseudoephedrine, a potent nasal decongestant, was evaluated to determine whether combination therapy was more effective than individual component therapy in reducing nasal congestion, as well as other SAR symptoms. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, three-arm study included 650 patients with SAR. For 2 weeks, patients were administered a combination tablet of desloratadine plus pseudoephedrine (desloratadine/pseudoephedrine, 2.5/120 mg) twice per day (b.i.d.), desloratadine (5 mg) once per day, or pseudoephedrine (120 mg) b.i.d. Patients assessed the severity of their SAR symptoms twice daily on symptom diary cards. The primary variable—change from baseline in the reflective A.M./P.M. total symptom score, excluding nasal congestion—was significantly superior (−6.7) compared with desloratadine (−5.4) or pseudoephedrine (−5.3) alone (p ≤ 0.001 versus either group). Secondary efficacy variables including total symptom scores (plus congestion), total nasal symptom scores, and total nonnasal symptom scores were significantly reduced after desloratadine/pseudoephedrine therapy compared with the individual components. The most frequently reported adverse events were insomnia, headache, and dry mouth.

Desloratadine/pseudoephedrine, 2.5/120 mg b.i.d., therapy was more effective in reducing total symptom scores of SAR, including nasal congestion, than were the individual components. These results support the use of this combination therapy over desloratadine or pseudoephedrine alone.