A Phase III Efficacy Study of the Symptomatic Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis With Bilastine

Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Phase III Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Bilastine 20 mg Once Daily and Desloratadine 5 mg for the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of 20 mg of Bilastine, compared to Desloratadine and placebo for the treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis.

Pivotal, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, comparative with desloratadine, parallel group, international, multicenter study.The Primary endpoint was the Change in total reflective score on the scale of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis indicated by patients at the baseline assessment and over the 2 weeks of the study. A total of 720 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were enrolled. Duration of treatment was 14 days, preceded by one week (7 days) of placebo.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The study disease was diagnosed on the basis of clinical criteria: Nasal symptoms (presence of nasal blockage, sneezing, nasal itching and rhinorrhea) and non-nasal symptoms (ocular itching, lacrimation, itching of ears and/or palate and ocular redness), as well as the skin prick test performed at the time of selection or within the year prior to entering.
• Patients with history of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, positive skin prick test and symptoms were included if they were between 12 and 70 years old, gave their informed consent, attended the required visits scheduled and also underwent a complete medical examination..

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients were excluded if they had a significant nasal abnormality which could interfere with the aim of the study, acute or chronic sinusitis, asthma or any condition, disease or hypersensitivity that could be harmed.
• Patients were not allowed to take forbidden medications or not comply the study requirements.
• Patients who were currently participating in or had participated in another clinical trial within the previous three months or were planning to travel outside of the study area during the course of the study were excluded.
• Pregnant or breast-feeding women were also excluded.
• Women of childbearing potential had a pregnancy test done