Objective: To evaluate the cardiac safety of the second-generation H1-antihistamine loratadine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in elderly patients.
Methods: Forty patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were enrolled in the study. There were 25 males and 15 females, aged 50 to 88 years (mean, 64.4-years-old). 17 cases (42.5%) had a history of cardiovascular diseases and/or presented abnormal ECG parameters, but had no prolonged QT-interval. The subjects received loratadine 10 mg once-daily for 30 days. A series of baseline ECG recordings was obtained before treatment. ECG effects of the treatments were then compared with the baseline ECGs.
Results: There were no changes in sinus rhythm in all patients 30 days after treatment by loratadine. No statistically significant difference was found between the heart rates, P durations, PR and QRS intervals at baseline and end-point ECGs (P > 0.05), with no significant prolongation of the QT as well as QTc corrected for heart rate using Bazett' formula (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The results suggest no cardiotoxicity of loratadine, at the usual recommended dose, in long-term treatment of allergic rhinitis in the elderly.