Allergic rhinitis is an altered immune reaction to common antigens in the nasal mucosa which often remains undiagnosed despite of its high prevalence. Evidences suggest that it is emerging as a global health problem affecting a large part of the general population, especially children. Epidemiological surveys reveal that allergic rhinitis affects over 500 million individuals, worldwide and with 20-30% incidence in Indian population. Moreover, it has the potential to cause significant degree of morbidity by influencing the social life of patients with high prevalence of up to 40% in the pediatric population. It has been observed that fixed dose combination of chlorpheniramine maleate, an anti-histaminic and phenylephrine, a nasal decongestant is an advantageous therapeutic approach in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children.

The current study included 172 paediatric patients. The effectiveness of the treatment was determined by assessing total symptom score (TSS) and extrapolating to four point Likert type scales. Its safety profile was measured by calculating the adverse events during trial.

The results revealed reduction in mean TSS from 6.19 at baseline to 3.09 at day 3 and 0.75 at day 5. One point reduction in Likert-type symptom scale from moderate to mild occurred in just 3 days, which was further reduced to less than mild at day 5. Moreover, almost all patients had >50% reduction in symptom score at day 3 and day 5. Total reduction of 49.95% and 87.88% was observed in mean TSS at day 3 and day 5, respectively as compared to baseline. A total of 35 episodes of insignificant adverse events with mild intensity were reported that included sedation and drowsiness.

Thus, the study concluded that a fix dose combination of chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine is a safe and efficient therapy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in paediatric population.

Source: World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research. 2019, 5(2), 232-236.