The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of chlorpheniramine treatment in upper airway cough syndrome and in sinusitis or chronic rhinitis. A total number of 218 patients were admitted to the hospital between 2014 and 2016 and were given chlorpheniramine treatment.

Based on the treatment effect during follow-up visits, the patients were divided into two groups: the effective group with 114 cases (52.29%) and the ineffective group with 104 cases (47.71%). The proportion of complicated sinusitis and rhinitis of both the groups were compared. The improvement effect related to the clinical symptoms of chronic sinusitis and rhinitis after treatment was also compared. In the effective group, the probability of rhinitis or sinusitis was 65.79% and in the ineffective group, it was 69.23%. There was no significant difference observed in both the groups.

The symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath and pharyngeal discomfort were improved to an extent in both effective and ineffective groups. The effective group had an enhanced improvement effect, however no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05) was noted. There was no association between improvement of cough and improvement of symptoms particularly in the effective group. 21 cases of cough had disappeared wholly, whereas the complete disappearance rate of other symptoms was 57.15%.

Thus, the study concluded that chlorpheniramine is effective to certain extent in treatment of upper airway cough syndrome, but is not associated with rhinitis or sinusitis treatment.

Source: Du F. Therapeutic effect of chlorpheniramine in treating upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) and chronic rhinitis/sinusitis. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2018 Jul;31(4(Special)):1679-1682. PMID: 30203761.