Does Separate Administration of Montelukast and Levocetirizine Provide Better Results in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: A Hospital Based Study

To determine whether separate administration of Montelukast and Levocetirizine provide a better response in perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) than their fixed dose combination. Total 151 patients underwent a hospital based clinical study, being divided in 3 discrete groups. One group was given non-bilayered combination of Montelukast and Levocetrizine, 2nd group was given their bilayered counterpart whereas 3rd group was given the drugs at 12 h interval. Medications were continued for 3 months before stoppage. All patients were followed up for 1 month more to note recurrence of symptoms of PAR on weekly basis. While the combination formulation gave 9.8 and 12.6 % symptom-free patients; separate administration of the molecules gave 43.3 % positive (symptom-free 1 month) result. Fixed-dose combination is found to cause 1.4 times more chance of recurrence. Though per se, Montelukast and Levocetrizine does not give excellent response in PAR, their separate administration provides better outcome. So a morning dose of Montelukast and Levocetirizine at bed time is recommended while treating PAR.