International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Research Article
Clinicians' Insights on the use of Oral Second-Generation Antihistamine Bilastine in Allergic Rhinitis
Manjula S* and Krishna Kumar M
Department of Medical Services, Micro Labs Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
*Address for Correspondence:Dr Manjula S, Department of Medical Services, Micro
Labs Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India E-mail Id: drmanjulas@gmail.com
Submission: 01 August, 2025
Accepted: 26 August, 2025
Published: 29 August, 2025
Copyright: © 2025 Manjula S, et al. This is an open access
article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.
Abstract
Objective: To assess expert opinion on the clinical use of bilastine
in the management of allergic rhinitis (AR) in Indian settings.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out by using a 24- item questionnaire which gathered insights from clinicians practicing in India on key aspects, including clinical observations, treatment preferences, and experiences with bilastine monotherapy. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The survey included responses from 557 medical experts. Nearly half of the physicians (49%) reported that allergic rhinitis is most frequently diagnosed in adults. About 63% of respondents identified dust mites as the leading environmental trigger. According to 75% of participants, asthma was the most commonly associated comorbidity. For managing mild allergic rhinitis, 72% of physicians selected oral second-generation antihistamines as their first-line treatment. Over half (56.55%) acknowledged that immunotherapy can modulate immune responses and provide long-term relief when pharmacological treatment alone is inadequate. Additionally, 42% supported the continued use of immunotherapy for sustained benefit in allergic rhinitis cases. The majority (90%) favored bilastine as the antihistamine of choice for allergic rhinitis, with approximately 90% preferring it specifically for patients with renal impairment.
Conclusion: This study highlights current practices in the management of allergic rhinitis, with bilastine favored for its safety, efficacy, and suitability in special populations. Immunotherapy is recognized for its long-term benefits, although diagnostic practices vary.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out by using a 24- item questionnaire which gathered insights from clinicians practicing in India on key aspects, including clinical observations, treatment preferences, and experiences with bilastine monotherapy. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The survey included responses from 557 medical experts. Nearly half of the physicians (49%) reported that allergic rhinitis is most frequently diagnosed in adults. About 63% of respondents identified dust mites as the leading environmental trigger. According to 75% of participants, asthma was the most commonly associated comorbidity. For managing mild allergic rhinitis, 72% of physicians selected oral second-generation antihistamines as their first-line treatment. Over half (56.55%) acknowledged that immunotherapy can modulate immune responses and provide long-term relief when pharmacological treatment alone is inadequate. Additionally, 42% supported the continued use of immunotherapy for sustained benefit in allergic rhinitis cases. The majority (90%) favored bilastine as the antihistamine of choice for allergic rhinitis, with approximately 90% preferring it specifically for patients with renal impairment.
Conclusion: This study highlights current practices in the management of allergic rhinitis, with bilastine favored for its safety, efficacy, and suitability in special populations. Immunotherapy is recognized for its long-term benefits, although diagnostic practices vary.
Keywords:Allergic rhinitis; dust mites; asthma; immunotherapy;
bilastine