Azatadine maleate (Zadine): evaluation in the management of allergic rhinitis

Azatadine maleate (Zadine), a new antihistamine, was evaluated for its efficacy in 20 patients with chronic allergic rhinitis. Eighty percent of patients had symptomatic relief with a twice daily dosage of 2 mg. Sedation was volunteered as a side effect by six of the patients and was admitted by two further patients after specific questioning. A choice reaction time test gave slowing of motor function in these sedated patients. Four of the previously sedated patients experienced good symptomatic control with minimal sedation when the azatadine dose was reduced to 1 mg twice daily; slowing of motor function was not observed at this, the normal recommended dose.