Bilastine more effective than Fexofenadine for Treating Allergic Rhinitis

In the global battle against allergic rhinitis (AR), a recent study published in Bioinformation unveiled the superior efficacy of bilastine over the commonly used fexofenadine. AR, a prevalent health concern worldwide, not only diminishes the quality of life for sufferers but also poses a substantial economic burden on society if left untreated.

The single-center, observational, parallel-group clinical trial, aimed to compare the effectiveness of bilastine and fexofenadine in treating AR patients. A total of 104 participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A received bilastine, and Group B received fexofenadine hydrochloride, each for a duration of two weeks.

The baseline Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), encompassing individual symptom scores such as sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching, and difficulty in sleep, was used as a measure for comparison. Patients recorded their symptoms at 24 hours, the 7th day, and the 15th day.

The results indicated a remarkable reduction in TNSS for both groups after the two-week treatment period. However, the key finding was the superior performance of bilastine, with a more significant reduction in TNSS apparent within the first 24 hours and consistently maintained throughout the study period.

The lead of this study emphasized that this discovery is a big advancement in AR treatment, as bilastine not only outperformed fexofenadine in reducing symptoms but also contributed to an improved overall quality of life for patients.

This research not only sheds light on the comparative efficacy of these antihistaminic drugs but also opens avenues for potential advancements in allergic rhinitis management. The results indicate that bilastine could emerge as a preferred choice for clinicians seeking to provide faster and more effective relief to AR patients. This study marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of more efficacious treatments for allergic rhinitis.

Reference:

Kumari, A. (2022). Effectiveness of bilastine and fexofenadine among allergic Rhinitis patients in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. In Bioinformation (Vol. 18, Issue 6, pp. 596–599). Biomedical Informatics. https://doi.org/10.6026/97320630018596