The 58-patient study compared the use of Pfizer’s non-prescription Sudafed (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) with Merck & Co’s Singulair (montelukast sodium) in the treatment of hay fever and the relief of associated symptoms.
The study reached its conclusions having been supported in part by a medical school grant from Merck.
“This came as a genuine surprise,” said Dr Fuad Baroody, associate professor of surgery at the University of Chicago and director of the study. “Our hypothesis was that montelukast would have additional benefits and pseudoephedrine would interfere with sleep, but when we compared them head-to-head we found that for treatment of allergic rhinitis, these drugs at these doses were virtually identical.”
In fact, pseudoephedrine was found to have small advantages in specific categories. It was slightly more effective, for example, in reducing congestion, which it was specifically designed to do.
Dr Baroody noted, however, that a larger study would be needed for a definitive conclusion.