Study of Bronchodilation Effects of Cetirizine

OBJECTIVES:

Primary Objective :

To compare the acute bronchodilatory effects of cetirizine 10 mg tablet and nebulized
levalbuterol using impulse oscillometry technique in asthmatic subjects aged 18 to 65 years
old who have allergic rhinitis and show clinical evidence of bronchial hyper-reactivity.

Secondary Objective:

To assess the bronchodilatory effects of cetirizine 10 mg tablet versus placebo after two
weeks of therapy using impulse oscillometry technique in subjects 18 to 65 years old who
have allergic rhinitis and show clinical evidence of bronchial hyper-reactivity.

SUBJECT SELECTION:

Inclusion Criteria

- Age between 18 to 65 years of age

- Physician diagnosis of mild asthma based on the NIH guidelines

- Physician diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and confirmed by at least 3+ skin test
response to at least one allergen

- Evidence of abnormal, reversible airway function on impulse oscillometry

- Ability to cooperate in measurement of impulse oscillometry Exclusion Criteria

- Treatment with inhaled or oral corticosteroids within one month of screening visit

- Change in dosage of intranasal corticosteroids, or oral anti- leukotrienes within one
month of screening visit. Subjects on constant dose of intranasal corticosteroids or
anti-leukotrienes for one month or more will be allowed in the study.

- Known history of reflux, lung disease, or congenital heart disease

- Known history of adverse reaction to cetirizine

METHODS:

General Design:

This study, is a double-blinded, randomized , placebo- controlled study to assess 1) the
acute bronchodilatory effects of cetirizine 10 mg tablet compared to levalbuterol and 2) the
bronchodilatory effect of cetirizine 10 mg compared to placebo after two weeks of treatment
. There will be minimum of five total study visits. The study drug will be
encapsulated with methylcellulose and the placebo capsules will have methylcellulose alone.

Visit Schedule:

1. Initial Screening Visit On a regularly scheduled clinic day, following completion of a
signed informed consent the study, the first patient evaluation will compose of:
`

History and Physical Exam The subject's demographic, medical, family, and history will
be recorded by standardized questionnaire. All previous medications used to treat
allergic rhinitis will be recorded.

Skin prick testing using the Multi-test method will be used to test for common
environmental allergens. This is a standard procedure done in evaluating patients with
a clinical history suggestive of allergic rhinitis and takes 15 minutes from initial
prick to interpretation of results.

As part of the standard assessment for skin testing, patients will be asked to not take
any oral or intranasal anti-histamines for one week before the visit. Antihistamines
can mask the histamine effects, and subsequently positive skin test results. If they
are interested in participating in the study, they will be asked to remain off
antihistamines until their enrollment into the study has been determined. Allergens on
the environmental panel to be tested include cat, dust mite, weed mix, tree mix, grass
mix, mold mix, saline, and histamine.

2. Second Screening Visit

After withholding beta-agonist treatment for at least 6 hours, testing for baseline
pulmonary function will be performed with impulse oscillometry and spirometry. They
will undergo impulse oscillometry technique under the guidance of a trained technician.
If the subject is.able to, he/she will also perform spirometry after oscillometry is
completed. If airway obstruction is detected by oscillometry, subjects will be given
levalbuterol by hand-held nebulizer and both impulse oscillometry and spirometry will
be repeated 15 minutes after the nebulizer treatment is completed. If there is
evidence of reversibility (i.e. lung function improvement), then the subject will have
fulfilled the inclusion criteria and be asked to continue with the study.

3. First Study Visit The first study visit will be a continuation of the second screening
visit after the subject has fulfilled the inclusion criteria as evidenced by reversible
airway obstruction following levalbuterol treatment. The subject will be asked to
continue with the study period and he/she will have repeat lung function testing at 15,
30, 60,90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after treatment. Lung function testing will be by
impulse oscillometry. If the subject is able to, he/she will perform spirometry at 60
and 240 minutes post-levalbuterol.

Subjects will be instructed to complete a daily diary for allergic rhinitis and asthma
symptom scores.

4. Second Study Visit (1 to 7 days after First Study Visit) All beta-agonist treatment
needs to be withheld at least 6 hours prior to the visit. Baseline lung function
testing by impulse oscillometry and spirometry will be done. The subject will be
given Cetirizine 10 mg tablet or placebo. The subject and the coordinator will be
blinded to the study treatment. Lung function testing will be assessed by impulse
oscillometry. at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after the cetirizine.
Spirometry will also be performed at 60 and 240 minutes post.-cetirizine .

Daily diary entries will be reviewed with the subject. The subject will be sent home
on the study medication. He/she take 1 tablet of the study medication daily starting
the day after the study visit.

5. Third Study Visit (7 to 10 days after Second Study Visit) The subject will take his/her
usual study medication dose in the office. He/she will perform impulse oscillometry,
and if able to, spirometry to assess lung function. Daily diary entries will be
reviewed with subject. The subject will be instructed to continue taking the study
medication at the same dosing regimen.

6. Fourth Study Visit ,(7 to 10 days after Third Study Visit)

The subject will take his/her usual study medication dose in the office. He/she will
perform impulse oscillometry and spirometry to assess lung function. Daily diary
entries will be reviewed with the subject. The subject will be instructed to stop
taking the study medication and continue putting in diary entries.

7. Fifth Study Visit (7 to 10 days after Fourth Study Visit) The subject will perform
impulse oscillometry and spirometry to assess lung function. Daily diary entries will
be reviewed with the parent or caregiver.

Laboratory Studies:

There will be no laboratory studies in this project.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age between 18 to 65 years of age

- Physician diagnosis of mild asthma based on the NIH guidelines

- Physician diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and confirmed by at least 3+ skin test
response to at least one allergen

- Evidence of abnormal, reversible airway function on impulse oscillometry

- Ability to cooperate in measurement of impulse oscillometry

Exclusion Criteria:

- Treatment with inhaled or oral corticosteroids within one month of screening visit

- Change in dosage of intranasal corticosteroids, or oral anti- leukotrienes within one
month of screening visit. Subjects on constant dose of intranasal corticosteroids or
anti-leukotrienes for one month or more will be allowed in the study.

- Known history of reflux, lung disease, or congenital heart disease

- Known history of adverse reaction to cetirizine