Based upon findings from a Vienna Challenge Chamber Study, the onset of action of bilastine was approximately 1 hour after drug administration. This was based upon the first statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in total nasal symptom score after drug application. In a recent study evaluating suppression of wheal-and-flare response induced by intradermal histamine in healthy volunteers, the greatest inhibition in wheal area was produced by bilastine, and it was significantly superior to desloratadine and rupatadine from 1 to 12 hours (p<0.001). Bilastine was also significantly superior to desloratadine and rupatadine for flare inhibition throughout the study, with an onset of action at 30 minutes and significantly reduced itching scores, as compared to placebo, 1 hour after administration.
