Non-sedating antihistamines have differing sedative effects

Although second generation antihistamines are known to have equal efficacy, differences in their sedative effects are less clear. Mann et al (p 1184) used prescription-event monitoring---a form of post-marketing surveillance---to compare the events reported with loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine, and acrivastine in over 40 000 patients. Sedation was reported significantly more frequently with cetirizine and acrivastine than with loratadine or fexofenadine, but there was no difference in the incidence of accident or injury between the four drugs.


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Relevant Article

Sedation with "non-sedating" antihistamines: four prescription-event monitoring studies in general practice • Commentary: Reporting of adverse events is worth the effort
Ronald D Mann, Gillian L Pearce, Nicholas Dunn, Saad Shakir, and R E Ferner
BMJ 2000 320: 1184-1187. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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