Summary of findings
• Insufficient evidence was available to determine whether any of the newer antihistamines
had an advantage in efficacy or harms based on age, gender, or race/ethnicity.
• Patients with allergic rhinitis with mild intermittent asthma or atopic dermatitis tolerated
newer antihistamines similar to patients without these comorbidities.
• There was minimal increased risk of birth defects observed with H-1 receptor antagonists
including cetirizine, fexofenadine, and loratadine