Comparison of Loratadine and Ketotifen Pharmacotherapy in Cases of Chronic Cough in Children: A Study at Petrokimia Gresik Hospital, Indonesia

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of loratadine and ketotifen pharmacotherapy in cases of chronic cough in children at Petrokimia Gresik Hospital, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective case-control study on 127 chronic cough children aged less than 6 years old was done. All subjects went through a period of restrictive diet for 2-4 weeks. If the symptoms relieved, subjects were reintroduced previous daily diet gradually. All subjects were randomized to take loratadine powder (54%), once daily or ketotifen powder (46%), twice daily for 2-4 weeks, for chronic cough pharmacotherapy. Cough symptoms was evaluated during next visit. At those visits, the adverse event was also evaluated.

Results: Of the 187 subjects enrolled, 60 dropped out. Thus, 69 children remained on loratadine, and 58 on ketotifen. Of all research subjects, only 10% experienced improvement (P= 0.582). In the non-improved group, 35% of the subjects also suffered from acute maxillary sinusitis. There were no adverse events in all groups.

Conclusion: There were no significant difference between loratadine and ketotifen pharmacotherapy in cases of chronic cough in children at Petrokimia Gresik Hospital, Indonesia. Further investigation to look after other common uncontrolled triggers such as house dust mite sensitization, need to be done in this study, so that comprehensive therapy can be given.