title: Preliminary report on the effects of tiaramide on the ice cube test in patients with idiopathic cold urticaria.
abstract: Three subjects diagnosed as having idiopathic acquired cold urticaria were studied to assess the ability of orally administered tiaramide to inhibit the wheal induced following cold challenge with ice cubes placed in contact with the skin, and to establish the safety of multiple doses of 250 mg, q.i.d., for one week administered after a single oral dose of 500 mg. Two subjects completed the study. One subject was known to be unresponsive to antihistamines for allergy and the second was intolerant of antihistamines due to side effects. A third subject discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction experienced while on the study medication. The skin of the forearm of each subject was exposed to cold stimuli for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes by placing five ice cubes on the ventral surface at one minute intervals, and removing all simultaneously five minutes after contact with the first cube. The challenge sites were observed for ten minutes and the area of the wheal, intensity of edema and the time of contact necessary to induce the skin response were recorded. The results of this provocative test following the single and multiple dosage administration of tiaramide were compared to baseline skin responses. After one week of tiaramide treatment at 250 mg, q.i.d., both subjects who completed the study had a markedly attenuated skin response to cold challenge and no adverse effects. Our results suggest that absorbable compounds that can inhibit mast cell degranulation may be efficacious in cold urticaria and of particular value in treating patients who do not respond to standard therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D052160:Benzothiazoles; D010879:Piperazines; C003468:tiaramide