Effects of oxatomide compared with chlorpheniramine in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Oxatomide is an H1 receptor antagonist, which also inhibits antigen-induced mediator release from sensitized mast cells and basophils. The effects of ingested oxatomide (30 mg/capsule) were compared with those of chlorpheniramine (5 mg/capsule) in a double-blind non-crossover study in 2 groups of 25 human subjects with ragweed pollen-induced hay fever during the pollen season. Oxatomide or chlorpheniramine was started when symptoms became troublesome and was used in a dose of 2-4 capsules daily according to severity. Other medications were added, in a standardized way, if hay fever symptoms were not controlled by the test capsules. Of the 50 subjects, 41 completed the study; 19 received oxatomide and 22 chlorpheniramine. Mean symptom scores, number of test capsules and number of doses of additional medication were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Drowsiness was reported by subjects in both groups but was worse in the chlorpheniramine group (P < 0.05). In the studied doses, oxatomide is apparently as effective for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis as chlorpheniramine and produces less drowsiness.