Compared to placebo, a new oral second-generation H-1 antihistamine bilastine effectively improved visual analog score (VAS), quality of life (QOL), total symptoms scores (TSS), and total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) in people suffering from chronic urticaria and allergic rhinitis, as elucidated from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Researchers sought to assess safety and effectiveness of bilastine in comparison with placebo and other active antihistaminic agents on symptomatic hyper histaminic allergic conditions. Electronic databases such as Cochrane databases, Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline were explored to find out relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

A total of 9 RCTs encompassing 3801 subjects were included. Collection of data on TNSS, TSS, QOL for urticaria and allergic rhinitis, and discomfort related to these allergic conditions estimated by VAS was done. Other outcomes like safety profiles and clinical global impressions were also recorded. Utilizing RevMan 5.4 software, the studies were pooled in a random-effect model.

In people with chronic urticaria or allergic rhinitis, bilastine demonstrated superiority over placebo in terms of improvement in QOL, VAS, TNSS, and TSS. In terms of outcomes, bilastine was similar to active antihistamines like loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine. Compared to placebo, no difference in the occurrence of side effects was witnessed. Hence, bilastine was safe, well-tolerated and effectively improved symptoms in hyper histaminic allergic conditions encompassing nasal symptoms in allergic rhinitis.