title: Relative efficacy and safety of loratadine, hydroxyzine, and placebo in chronic idiopathic urticaria.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of a new non-sedating antihistamine, loratadine (Clarityn, CAS 79794-75-5) 10 mg q.d., was compared to the classical antihistamine, hydroxyzine 25 mg t.i.d. and placebo in a 4-week (optional 12 week) randomized, double-blind, multi-center study in 203 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Efficacy evaluations included weekly physician and patient assessments of pruritus, overall disease condition, and therapeutic response to treatment. Loratadine and hydroxyzine were significantly more effective than placebo and clinically comparable to each other as measured by all efficacy evaluations at each visit. Loratadine was safe and well tolerated with sedation and dry mouth similar to placebo and significantly less than hydroxyzine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Milwaukee Medical Clinic, WI.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Monroe
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Grabiec
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Honsinger
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kalivas
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cuss
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Danzig
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Garvin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017336:Loratadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006919:Hydroxyzine; D017336:Loratadine