Allergic rhinitis and asthma share a common inflammatory mechanism and are closely related, they are recognized as ‘one airway disease’. Thus, guidelines recommend allergic rhinitis and asthma be treated together, and leukotriene antagonists and antihistamines have been administered simultaneously; however, there are few combination drugs so far. 

To evaluate the treatment effects and adverse events of Monterizine (a combination of montelukast and levocetirizine), a total of 2,254 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and asthma were prospectively enrolled from 60 hospitals nationwide in Korea. They were followed up for 3 (period 1) or 6 months (period 2). Total nasal symptom score (TNSS), satisfaction, and safety data were collected and were compared to those at the time of baseline

TNSS scores were analyzed for 2,254 subjects. At Period 1 (n=2,024) and 2 (n=, 1,861), scores decreased significantly from baseline (-1.20 ± 2.49 and -1.63 ± 2.78, p<0.001). More than half of the subjects showed favorable response of satisfaction at Period 1 and 2 (63.3% and 65.7%). The mean quality of life (QOL) was significantly improved at Period 1 and 2 (-3.75 ± 6.58, -4.83 ± 7.11, both p<0.0001). There was no serious adverse drug reaction except minor reactions including nasopharyngitis (2.92%), rhinitis (0.37%), and somnolence (0.34%). 

TNSS score, satisfaction and QOL were significantly improved by 3-6 months’ treatment with Monterizine without significant adverse reactions. These indicate that Monterizine, as a combination drug, is an effective and safe drug for improving the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis with asthma.