Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a primary chronic inflammation of nasal mucosa. The issue of AR is actual for clinical practice since its prevalence in total population is 10-25%. Moreover, in some countries, symptoms which are typical of AR affect up to 50% of the population. Currently, approximately 500 million people suffer from AR. The disease is caused by classic IgE-mediated (type 1) response to allergens on the nasal mucosa.
Treatment approach to AR includes several steps, i.e., the primary goal is allergen avoidance followed by pharmacological therapy. Second-generation 
H1-receptor antagonists which are used to treat AR are effective and safe. These drugs inhibit histamine-mediated symptoms and significantly improve quality of life.
Desloratadine is a systemic long-acting antihistamine which reduces AR symptoms. It is widely used in otorhinolaryngology, allergic practice, and pediatrics. Multiple studies were performed to assess the effects of desloratadine in AR. These findings confirm that this drug has many advantages over other antihistamines.

Key words: allergic rhinitis, desloratadine, antihistamines, antiallergic therapy.

For citation: Svistushkin V.M., Starostina S.V. Current approaches to systemic treatment of allergic rhinitis // RMJ. Otorhinolaryngology. 2016. № 4. P. 240–244.