A Comparison of Cetirizine and Montelukast for Treating Childhood Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficacy and safety of cetirizine and montelukast use for the treatment of pediatric perennial allergic rhinitis. To this end, 60 perennial allergic rhinitis patients suffering a mite allergy, and aged from 6 to 12 years old, were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups for a period of 12 weeks; 20 were assigned to the cetirizine group (10 mg daily), 20 to the montelukast group (5 mg daily), and 20 to the placebo group. The effects of the three agents were compared with the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and participants' nasal symptom score by daily diary card. Nasal peak expiratory flow rate and laboratory examinations were evaluated for members of the three groups. The results revealed that cetirizine and montelukast were efficacious for the total symptom score for weeks 4, 8, and 12 (p < 0.01). Cetirizine was more effective than montelukast for rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing, and red eyes. The Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire score and the eosinophil proportion present in a nasal smear significantly decreased among the cetirizine and montelukast groups in comparison with the placebo group (p < 0.01). Montelukast revealed a significant decrease in eosinophil levels in peripheral blood. Both cetirizine and montelukast significantly improved nasal peak expiratory flow rate (p < 0.01) compared to placebo. No serious adverse events were reported.