Lack of effect of single and repeated doses of levocetirizine, a new antihistamine drug, on cognitive and psychomotor functions in healthy volunteers
Abstract
AIMS: Levocetirizine (R-cetirizine), is the active enantiomer of cetirizine, an antihistamine indicated in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. The purpose of this trial was to analyse the effects of levocetirizine single and multiple doses on CNS using integrated measures of cognitive and psychometric performance. METHODS: A battery of psychometric tests was used: critical flicker fusion (CFF), choice reaction time (CRT), body sway (BS), learning memory test (LMT) and subjective assessments of alertness compared with placebo. Nineteen (19) healthy male volunteers received either levocetirizine 5 mg (therapeutic dose), diphenhydramine 50 mg or placebo once daily for 5 consecutive days (3-way cross-over). Diphenhydramine was used as a positive control. CFF tests were performed on days 1 and 5 at baseline and up to 24 h following drug intake. Subjects used the Bond-Lader visual analogue scales (VAS) to assess their mood and vigilance. RESULTS: In contrast to diphenhydramine, when compared with placebo, levocetirizine did not modify the CFF (primary endpoint), regardless of the dosing scheme (-1.62 Hz [-2.61, -0.64] and -0.81 Hz [-1.80, 0.19], respectively, 3 h after dosing on day 1). CRT was decreased with both levocetirizine and placebo up to 5 h after dosing on day 1 and up to 3 h after dosing on day 5. Body sway data were similar with levocetirizine and placebo but increased with diphenhydramine. LMT was similar in all three groups. No…
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