Inhibition of dermographia, histamine, and dextromethorphan skin tests by ketotifen. A possible effect on cutaneous vascular response to mediators.
Forty-one subjects with dermographia were studied for a 4-week period. Twenty subjects received ketotifen therapy, the other 21 received chlorpheniramine (H1) for 2 weeks, and then chlorpheniramine plus cimetidine (H1 + H2). Both groups had significant suppression of dermographia and skin wheals caused by dextromethorphan and histamine after 2 weeks. The inhibition by ketotifen of dermographia, histamine wheal, and the dextromethorphan wheal increased from week 2 to week 4. During the first 2 weeks, ketotifen's activity was comparable to chlorpheniramine. Ketotifen's activity increased during the second 2 study weeks to match the additional chlorpheniramine. These results suggest that ketotifen may have additional pharmacologic activities besides H1 antagonism, including possible inhibition of mast cell mediator release. As a consequence, cutaneous vascular hyperresponsiveness may decrease. Ketotifen appears promising as treatment for allergic skin disorders.
Department of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso.
L E
LE
Mansfield
P
P
Taistra
J
J
Santamauro
S
S
Ting
K
K
Andriano
D000328:Adult; D002744:Chlorpheniramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D003915:Dextromethorphan / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007981:Levorphanol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods
D004338:Drug Combinations; D007981:Levorphanol; D002744:Chlorpheniramine; D003915:Dextromethorphan; D002927:Cimetidine; D006632:Histamine; D007665:Ketotifen