Cetirizine vs astemizole in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Abstract

In a 4-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel study to compare the efficacy of cetirizine and astemizole, 47 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria were enrolled, with 19 cetirizine- and 17 astemizole-treated patients being taken into account for final analysis. Both treatment groups were comparable at initial visit. Giant weals, weals, erythema and oedema were improved in both treatment groups after treatment for 1-4 weeks. Patients' evaluation using a visual analogue scale and symptom scores assessed on a four-point scale showed that the improvement was significantly better using cetirizine for weals (P = 0.04) and there was a trend (P = 0.09) in favour of cetirizine for the visual analogue scale. The number and severity of side-effects were similar in both treatment groups.

• Authors: A Alomar, De La Cuadra, J Fernandez
• Journal: The Journal of international medical research (J Int Med Res) 1990 Sep-Oct Vol. 18 Issue 5 Pg. 358-65 ISSN: 0300-0605 [Print] England
• PMID: 2147912 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Benzimidazoles
• Hydroxyzine
• Astemizole
• Cetirizine

Topics

• Astemizole
• Benzimidazoles (therapeutic use)
• Cetirizine
• Chronic Disease
• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Hydroxyzine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Urticaria (drug therapy)