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OBJECTIVE. This study evaluated the effects of ebastine on serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in patients with bronchial asthma. PATIENTS. Twenty patients with bronchial asthma and low efficiency of current therapy (11 patients with atopic disease and 9 with non-atopic disease) were enrolled in the study. METHODS. In an open-label design, all patients received ebastine 10 mg/day for 4 weeks and serum ECP levels, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and thresholds for airway hyper-responsiveness (Dmin in asthgraphy) were determined before and after treatment. RESULTS. Serum ECP levels and peripheral blood eosinophil counts were significantly decreased. No significant change was found in the non-atopic patients, while the serum ECP level was significantly (p