[Chronic idiopathic urticaria: effectiveness of fexofenadine. A double-blind, placebo controlled study with 21 patients].

Abstract

Chronic urticaria defined as repeated or daily eruptions of wheals within a week over a period of at least 1 1/2 months is a frustrating problem not only for the patient but also for the physician. Since a cause will seldom be identified, therapy is symptomatic. In this study the effect of fexofenadine the active metabolite of terfenadine on pruritus, wheal formation and subjective feedbacks has been investigated in 21 patients with chronic urticaria. The study was double-blind, placebo-controlled designed. Following a 1-week washout period all study subjects received fexofenadine 180 mg OD for 3 weeks; thereafter the subjects were randomized for another 3 weeks in a placebo and fexofenadine arm. This study showed that fexofenadine had a beneficial effect on urticaria, particularly pruritus, and the patient-reported symptoms. Reports on side effects were non characteristic and not different between fexofenadine and placebo. Prolongation of QTc intervals or other cardiac side effects have not been observed. Fexofenadine 180 mg is a new antihistamine that is effective in the treatment of chronic urticaria and that has a profile of side effects similar to placebo.

• Authors: M Degonda, W J Pichler, A Bircher, A Helbling
• Journal: Praxis (Praxis (Bern 1994)) Vol. 91 Issue 15 Pg. 637-43 (Apr 10 2002) ISSN: 1661-8157 [Print] Switzerland
• Vernacular Title: Chronisch idiopathische Urtikaria: Wirksamkeit von Fexofenadin. Eine doppelblinde, placebokontrollierte Studie bei 21 Patienten.
• PMID: 12014063 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Allergic Agents
• Terfenadine
• fexofenadine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Allergic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Terfenadine (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Urticaria (drug therapy, etiology)