title: A comparison of the efficacy of cetirizine and terfenadine. A double-blind, controlled study of chronic idiopathic urticaria.
abstract: In a 20-d, double-blind, randomized, parallel study, the efficacy of cetirizine and terfenadine was compared in 30 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Subjects were randomly divided into two 15-patient groups. The first group was given cetirizine (10 mg once daily); the second terfenadine (60 mg twice daily). Cetirizine proved to be more effective than terfenadine in controlling urticaria symptoms. In fact, the score of the investigators' overall assessment was significantly lower in the cetirizine-treated group than in the terfenadine-treated group. Moreover, patient evaluation by a visual analog scale and symptoms assessed on a 4-point scale showed a better improvement in the cetirizine group. The number and severity of side-effects were similar in both treatment groups.
authors.affiliation: Servizio Autonomo di Allergologia Istituti Ospitalieri di Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andri
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Senna
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Betteli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Givanni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mezzelani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D016593:Terfenadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D016593:Terfenadine; D017332:Cetirizine