A rare head-to-head study has shown that ebastine is more effective than loratadine in reducing sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes in patients with allergic rhinitis. Ebastine is a long-acting second generation antihistamine which is administered orally once daily. It is available for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in more than 25 countries worldwide, but is currently awaiting FDA approval for this indication in the US. At the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) [Orlando, US; February 1999] there was a focus on the newer second generation antihistamines such as ebastine.