The Effect of Cetirizine on Bronchoconstriction
The Effect of Cetirizine on Bronchoconstriction
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of cetirizine, an oral antihistamine, on
 wheezing in patients with allergic rhinitis. Patients presenting to the pediatric emergency
 department who have a history of allergic rhinitis and who are wheezing will be asked to
 participate. Half of patients will receive a dose of cetirizine and the other half will
 receive placebo and their response will be monitored over the course of their emergency
 department visit with vital signs, physical examinations, and measurement of
 bronchoconstriction with spirometry.
This is a prospective randomized, placebo-controlled trial to look at the effect of
 cetirizine on bronchoconstriction in patients with allergic rhinitis who present to the
 Pediatric Emergency Department with wheezing. Oral second generation antihistamines such as
 cetirizine are already the standard of care for allergic rhinitis. Wheezing pediatric
 patients with allergic rhinitis who are not already on this therapy will be randomized to
 receive either age-appropriate-dosed cetirizine or placebo in addition to standard asthma
 therapy at the discretion of the treating clinician, and will be monitored every 30 minutes
 with asthma scores and FEV1 measurements. At the conclusion of 3 hours, each patient who
 received placebo will receive a dose of cetirizine, and each patient who received cetirizine
 will receive a placebo medication dose, such that initiating therapy for allergic rhinitis is
 delayed by no more than 3 hours.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  History of allergic rhinitis

 -  Wheezing

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Use of antihistamine within the past 72 hours

 -  Chronic Pulmonary Condition other than asthma

 -  Other contraindication to cetirizine

 -  Severe asthma exacerbation requiring resuscitation