Int J App Pharm, Vol 14, Issue 1, 2022, 13-17Review Article

ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND IMPORTANCE OF FEXOFENADINE HCL SUSTAINED RELEASE MICROSPHERE AS ITS TREATMENT APPROACH

PAROMA AREFIN1*, MD SHEHAN HABIB1, NAZIM UDDIN AHMED2, MD ABDUR RAHIM2, MD IBRAHIM2, SREEBASH CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE1, DIPANKAR CHAKRABORTY1, SUMON DAS1, DEBABRATA KARMAKAR1, DIP BHOWMIK1, SHIRMIN ISLAM3, MD SAIDUL AREFIN4

1Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) Laboratories, Chattogram, Bangladesh, 2Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) Laboratories, Rajshahi, Bangladesh, 3Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Rajshahi University, 4Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Email: paroma.arefin@gmail.com

Received: 24 Nov 2020, Revised and Accepted: 26 Nov 2021

ABSTRACT

The current treatment approaches for allergic rhinitis are practiced over decades, but the patient quality of life has not yet changed so much. The reasons are research gaps in pathophysiology of the disease, proper management of the disease. Fexofenadine HCl is a second-generation antihistamine drug which has a half-life of about 14.4 h. It is useful in the management of common symptoms like sneezing, itchy throat, and red eyes in individuals suffering from allergic rhinitis. Fexofenadine immediate release or sustained release formulations are available in the market as suspension, tablet and capsule. In this research paper, we have discussed the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis and treatment approaches. Fexofenadine HCl is being used for the treatment of this disease. But as it has a long half-life, we have discussed the importance of the introduction of sustained-release microsphere formulation of Fexofenadine HCl in the market.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, Bioavailability, Fexofenadine HCl, Microsphere, Second generation antihistamine

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2022v14i1.40369. Journal homepage: https://innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ijap

INTRODUCTION

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic conditions in the world [1–3]. Previously first-generation antihistamines were used for its management [4–6]. But due to sedative side effects, now second-generation antihistamines are being used. Fexofenadine HCl is a second generation antihistamine drug [7–10]. The dose of fexofenadine HCl is 60 mg twice a day or 120 mg once a day or 180 mg orally once a day for adults and children of ≥12 y. For children with 6-11 y, the recommended dose is 30 mg twice daily. Fexofenadine is available in tablet or capsule form. Oral suspension is used for children with 6 mo or older with the recommended dose of 15 mg twice for 6 mo to 2 y and 30 mg for 2-11 y [11–14].

Due to their free-flowing properties and biodegradable existence, microparticles or microspheres have recently gained considerable interest, typically consisting of synthetic polymeric materials with particle size ranging between 1-1000μm [15, 16]. Besides, microspheres are useful for targeted release and sustained release of the drugs [17]. Other dosage forms, though giving sustained release of the drug but poses a risk of dose dumping [18]. Drugs with lower bioavailability would be excreted out from the body with low absorption with rest of the drugs unused and excreted [12, 15]. So, the extra amount of drug is given to the body for reaching the minimum effective concentration (MIC) [19]. For chronic diseases, patients have to take a drug for long terms with the risk of possible side effects. On the other hand, drugs with low absorption and bioavailability are required to be administered to be high amount which is not cost-effective for manufactures and convenient for patients in respect of price and pharmacodynamics.

Fexofenadine HCl has low absorption (30-40%) profile [16, 20]. So, microspheres dosage forms of Fexofenadine HCl is expected to be convenient to have the maximum use of the given dose with sustained effects. It would also help to avoid the dose dumping risks, and to decrease the cost for manufacturers and medication cost for patients [21]. We have explored the published research of last 20 y to interpret the changes, advancement and limitation is the management of allergic rhinitis. We have accessed the pubmed databases, web of science and scopus databases for this search.

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a global health problem caused by IgE-mediated inflammation of the membranes covering the nose following allergen exposure [1, 22–24]. It is mainly categorized as a symptomatic disease with 4 main symptoms such as anterior or posterior rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal itching, and nasal congestion [1, 7, 22, 25]. Allergic rhinitis is an allergic response that occurs when the immune system reacts to the intake of foreign materials [26]. The symptoms are mild or sometimes serious. The symptoms usually mimic a cold as they include stuffy, runny nose, sneezing, dry cough, sore throat, headache, itchy mouth and throat, fatigue etc [1, 7, 13, 23, 26]. There is also asthma in certain individuals who have allergic rhinitis [1, 27, 28]. Asthma is a persistent inflammatory airway behavior that leads to reversible obstruction of the airway and bronchial hyper-responsiveness to different stimuli, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing symptoms [28–30]. Studies have shown that not treating allergic rhinitis contributes to higher costs and hospitalization for asthma [2, 7, 23, 24]. The onset of asthma can be avoided by early and active treatment of Allergic Rhinitis [2, 22, 25]. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever and perennial allergic rhinitis, are the two main forms of allergic rhinitis [31]. Outdoor allergens are responsible for hay fever. Indoor allergens, including dust mites, pet dander, and moulds are liable for perennial allergic rhinitis [32]. Allergic Rhinitis is reported to affect 20-30% of adult people and 40% children in both of the USA and Europe [33]. 

Causes of allergic rhinitis

Inflammatory substances, including such histamine are produced by these cells that cause fluid to accumulate in the nasal tissues (congestion), itching, sneezing, and runny nose [22, 34]. These chemicals stimulate other inflammatory cells for many hours, which can cause persistent symptoms [25, 34, 35]. If an individual is allergic to something like a food or dust, the immune system mistakenly takes the foreign particle as harmful and responds to it accordingly. To defend them, the immune system sends the signal to the body to release histamine and other chemicals responsible for allergic reaction into the bloodstream [36, 37]. After release, histamine combines with the specific cellular Histamine receptor-H1 receptor present on the cell membrane [32, 38]. H1 receptors are available on the cell membranes of smooth muscle of blood vessels, bronchial and intestinal muscle, endothelium, thalamus, hypothalamus and cerebellum parts of central nervous system [6, 39]. In many cases, the lymphocyte mediates the allergic response. The IgE molecule specific to an antigen binds to membrane receptors on mast cells. Antigen then triggers the mast cell to react. Often histamine is released in response [32, 36, 37].

Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or perennial [2]. The allergens that most commonly cause seasonal allergic rhinitis include pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds, as well as spores from fungi and moulds [40]. Female counterparts are more susceptible to allergies and different age group also have a different level of severity in sufferings [41]. People having family history of allergies have more tendencies to have allergic rhinitis. Some people are allergic to specific kinds of food or protein items [8, 42].

Treatment approaches

Allergic rhinitis management should be a combined approach consisting avoidance of allergens, pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy. Drugs such as antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroid sprays (INSs) are recommended therapies are recommended in a step-wise approach depending on the severity of the disorder. In patients with chronic allergic rhinitis, background, chest assessment and where appropriate, airflow obstruction evaluation before and after a bronchodilator should be treated for asthma. In patients with chronic rhinitis and serious intermittent rhinitis, follow-up is necessary [5, 28, 31, 38, 43].

Antihistamines are the most cost-effective treatment approach offering least level of complications [5, 6]. The oral steroids might be cost-effective but the limitation is a range of strong side effects [44, 45]. Sublingual immunotherapy was identified as the most cost-effective immunotherapy and exhibits a good side-effect profile [25]. The differences between sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy are little. Antihistamines are reported to be the most cost-effective option of all therapies [39].

Special consideration in treatment

Rhinitis is a concern during pregnancy, as the pregnancy itself will aggravate nasal obstruction. As certain drugs cross the placenta, care must be taken when prescribing any drug during pregnancy [46, 47]. Physiological changes arise with ageing in the connective tissue and nasal vasculature that are predisposed to chronic rhinitis. Though it is a common issue, but it is hard to manage atrophic rhinitis [48, 49]. With anticholinergics, rhinorrhoea can be managed [50]. Rhinitis can also be caused by certain medications methyldopa, reserpine, guanethidine, phentolamine, prazosin, chlorpromazine or ACE inhibitors [1]. In elderly patients, certain medications can cause specific side effects [1, 34, 38]. Decongestants and anticholinergic drugs can lead to urinary retention in patients with prostatic hypertrophy [51, 52]. In childhood, allergic rhinitis is a commonly observed phenomenon in school days [1, 53]. The treatment approaches for children are the same as with adults, but the side effects characteristic of this age group must be minimized with extra precautions [31, 53]. Medication doses must be modified and special factors must be considered. Symptoms cognitive functioning and school results, which can be further affected by the use of oral H1-antihistamines with sedation. Because of the efficacy of the medication, Disodium cromoglycate is widely used to treat allergic rhino-conjunctivitis in infants [53]. Immunotherapy also helps immune system get used to allergens through regular injections of small doses of an allergen over a long period of time [25].

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are agents which binds to the Histamine receptors (H1 receptor) and prevent Histamine to mediate allergic response [5, 6]. The symptoms of Allergic rhinitis include nasal block, headache, daytime sleepiness etc. Allergic Rhinitis deteriorate the quality of patient's daily life and impact regular activities [5–7, 26, 30]. Ultimately working efficiency of the patient is reduced and life quality decreases.

Antihistamines are widely used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Sneezing, itching and watery rhinorrhea are especially cured by this class of drug [39, 54]. Antihistamines come with two generations: first generation and second generation (table 1) [2, 9, 23, 55, 56]. Antihistamines belonging to first-generation class are less prescribed as they have poor selectivity and sedative, cardiovascular, and anticholinergic effects [9]. They block the H1 receptors and also antagonizes the effects by binding to muscarinic receptors (sedative), α-adrenoceptors, serotonin receptor and local anaesthetic sites (Na-channel). In comparison with first-generation medications, second-generation antihistamines have a greater efficacy and longer time of action, with no or limited side effects [4]. Again, first generation antihistamines have sedative effects. So, they induce more need of sleep. Second generation antihistamines became popular to treat allergic rhinitis mostly due to their no sedative effects [9, 51, 55, 57].

Second generation antihistamines have fewer sedative effects which is common with the first-generation ones. H1 antagonists exert its effect by competitively and reversibly blocking the H1 receptor [5, 9, 55]. They also do not have anti-cholinergic or anti-adrenergic or local anesthetic effect. First generation antihistamines can cross the BBB (Blood Brain Barrier) and produce central nervous effects (CNS). Newer versions of antihistamines do not enter the CNS [4]. Antihistamine drugs are well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract; peak plasma concentration is within 1-2 h and duration of action is 4-6 h. The 2nd generation has long duration of action and they are completely metabolized from the liver by cytochrome P-450 enzyme [5, 9, 55]. They are excreted through urine. Second-generation antihistamines are less lipid-soluble and long duration of action so can be given once daily. H1-receptor antagonists are effective for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. But some second-generation H1-receptor antagonists prolong the corrected QT interval (QTc) and poses the threat to have ventricular arrhythmias [1–4, 8, 12].

Table 1: Fexofenadine HCl generations

1st Generation 2nd Generation References
Ethanolamines, e. g. Carbinoxamine, Dimenhydrinate, Diphenhydramine, Doxylamine Piperidines, e. g. Astemizol, Fexofenadine [3, 6, 9, 39, 55–58]
Ethylaminediamines, e. g. Pyrilamine Miscellaneous, Loratidine, Cetrizine
Piperazin derivatives, e. g. Hydroxyzine, Cyclizine, Meclizine
Alkylamines, e. g. Chlorpheniramine
Phenothiazinederivatives, e. g. Promethazine(Phenergan)
Miscellaneous, e. g. Cyproheptadine

Fexofenadine HCl-a second-generation antihistamine

Fexofenadine HCl is the carboxylic acid metabolite of terfenadine. It is a second-generation antihistamine [16]. Fexofenadine HCl does not cross the blood-brain barrier. So, it does not have any sedating side effects [15]. Fexofenadine is rapidly absorbed and has a long duration of action, making it suitable for once-daily administration [59]. It has been reported to have no sedating and electrocardiographic effects. It has been marketed and used in the United States since 2000 [12]. Fexofenadine HCl is effective for the treatment of allergic rhinitis [20]. The available dosage forms are tablet, capsule and oral suspension. They have been proved to be bioequivalent.

Fexofenadine, the active metabolite of terfenadine, is a selective histamine H1 receptor antagonist that does not cross the blood-brain barrier and appears to display some anti-inflammatory properties [12, 20]. Fexofenadine is rapidly absorbed within two hours of ingestion and has a long duration of action (half-life 14.4 h), making it suitable for once daily administration. The dose of fexofenadine HCl is 60 mg twice a day or 120 mg once a day or 180 mg orally once a day for adults and children of ≥12 y. For children with 6-11 y, the recommended dose is 30 mg twice daily. Oral suspension is used for children with 6 mo or older with recommended dose of 15 mg twice for 6 mo to 2 y and 30 mg for 2-11 y. Fexofenadine is similarly effective as loratadine or cetirizine in management of allergic rhinitis [60]. Fexofenadine HCl has been proved to improve quality of life more in comparison of loratadine [11].

Fexofenadine 60 mg twice daily and 120 mg once daily was reported to be as effective as loratadine 10 mg once daily, and fexofenadine 120 mg once daily was reported to be as effective as cetirizine 10 mg once daily in reducing the sufferings of allergic rhinitis. Fexofenadine HCl and extended-release pseudoephedrine gives complementary effect if administered in combination [11, 60]. Fexofenadine helps to get relief from most of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis [13, 20]. The side effect of Fexofenadine treatment mostly reported, is headache. Fexofenadine is does not cause prolongation of the corrected QT interval like terfenadine. When given alone or in combination with erythromycin or ketoconazole, it showed no adverse cardiac events [12, 13, 20, 59].

Fexofenadine HCl as microsphere dosage form

Researchers are suggesting the intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) due to its greater efficacy over antihistamines. But in the perspective of safety, antihistamines are more accepted globally [5, 61, 62]. So, this is chosen as the first-line therapy. INCS have another limitation of longer onset of action. Allergen immunotherapy by subcutaneous or sublingual route is the disease-modifying option [63–68]. But in subcutaneous route, immunotherapy requires additional challenging management approaches though the sublingual route is safer than the subcutaneous route [23, 45, 47, 63, 66, 69, 70]. All of these options are indicated only for lower efficacy of antihistamines [14, 70]. For allergic rhinitis, the most commonly recommended antihistamine drug is Fexofenadine HCl. Fexofenadine HCl has a half-life of 14.4 h [15, 16]. To make the drug dose convenient for patients, it has also been marketed as sustained release dosage form of tablet or capsule. Microspheres serve to improve dosage efficiency while minimizing the potential side effects. The microspheres of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) enable pharmaceutical companies to engineer release profiles most appropriately. Fexofenadine HCl loaded polymeric microspheres can help to get desired absorption profile and better bioavailability. Besides microspheres provide high margin of safety as it removes the probability of dose burst. In case of Fexofenadine HCl, 30-40% drug is absorbed [15, 16]. The rest is excreted without absorption through kidney. If Fexofenadine HCl sustained release microspheres of polymer blends are used, the side effects would be reduced as less drug is given, kidney would clear off less drug. the required dose could be delivered to patient on basis of individual requirement, pathophysiology and body condition. The required dose in microspheres can also be delivered in capsule form and the required dose could be calculated on the basis of drug entrapment efficiency and drug loading of the microsphere. It would also help to reduce the cost of production as less amount of the drug is required to incorporate into the dosage form. As a result, the patients would be able to get the medications in lower price. The polymer content should be kept in a low range for balancing its long half-life and low absorption. Ultimately total dose may be reduced with greater bioavailability.

CONCLUSION

Allergic rhinitis is a global problem and it is not curable completely. Proper treatment approaches can help the patient to get an improved quality of life. In the world of comorbidities, the researchers are continuously trying to find out ways to reduce the side effects of drug by modifying the molecule, site-specific targeted release of the drug, dosage forms. Besides we also focus on increasing the cost-effectiveness of medications. The intranasal corticosteroids (INCS), subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy have been proposed as recent management approaches due to the lower efficacy of Fexofenadine HCl, i.e. its lower bioavailability. Fexofenadine HCl is a long-term drug and primary choice for patients with Allergic Rhinitis. If we can obtain greater efficacy by increasing bioavailability by preparing optimized sustained-release microspheres, it could be a great option in all respects: convenience, cost-effectiveness, high margin of safety for patients.

FUNDING

Nil

AUTHORS CONTRIBUTIONS

All authors have contributed equally.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

This research has no conflict of interest.

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