Role of Bilastine in Allergic Rhinitis: A Narrative Review.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered a trivial disease and is often self-treated with over-the-counter drugs and home remedies. However, AR is a contributing risk factor for asthma associated with complications, including chronic cough, eosinophilic esophagitis, and otitis media with effusion. In AR, inflammation is primarily mediated by histamines. Guidelines advise using second-generation oral H1 antihistamines as the primary treatment for AR. Second-generation H1 antihistamines strongly prefer the H1 receptor, limiting their ability to enter the central nervous system. Thus, they have minimal adverse effects. Among these H1 antihistamines, bilastine is highly specific for H1 receptors with a slight affinity for other receptors. It has a rapid and prolonged action, which reduces the need for frequent dosing and has better compliance. In the long term, bilastine is well-tolerated with minimal adverse effects. It is not associated with drug interactions, so dosage adjustment is unnecessary. Bilastine does not penetrate the brain and is nonsedating at 80 mg once daily. The low possibility of drug-drug interactions and pharmacokinetics of bilastine makes it suitable for elderly patients, even with compromised hepatic and renal function, without dose adjustment. This review comprehensively discusses the guidelines and the role of bilastine in treating AR.

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© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2023.