EC Clinical and Medical Case Reports

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common debilitating disorder that can adversely affect the quality of life, productivity and is characterized by nose itching, nasal blockage/congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing. Inflammatory mediators namely histamine, leukotrienes, platelet-activating factor, and prostaglandins account for its symptoms. In vitro and in vivo tests are utilized for the diagnosis. Management of allergic rhinitis mostly involved use of pharmacological active agents such as anticholinergics, antihistamines, antileukotrienes, corticosteroids, and immunotherapy. Alternative therapies, namely avoidance of allergen, acupuncture, herbal preparations, probiotics and nasal irrigation with isotonic saline have also been employed to alleviate the symptoms.

In this article we try to provide comprehensive information on the disorder namely the symptoms, diagnosis, therapeutic treatment options, structural features of the active agents as well as a number of analytical methods that have been utilized to assay these active agents in biological fluids. The methodology involved the use of pertinent articles obtained from the literature through library journals and internet search. The results show that under-diagnosis and/or inadequate treatment, could increase the risk of asthma or other comorbid conditions. Adverse effects limit the use of first-generation oral antihistamines (brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, diphenhydramine, and hydroxyzine) when compare with second generation of oral antihistamines (desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, and loratadine). Of these antihistamines, fexofenadine seems to be most beneficial and non-sedating, even at doses higher than the recommended doses. Hyphenated chromatographic methods are the most utilized analytical technique in the determination of these therapeutic agents in biological fluids.

 Keywords: Allergic Rhinitis; Pharmacological Active Agents; Assay Methods; Biological Fluids

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