title: Hydroxyzine therapy for interstitial cystitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the usefulness of oral hydroxyzine for the treatment of symptomatic interstitial cystitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was an open-label, nonconsecutive case series of patients treated by their local physicians, in consultation with the authors. A case-report form using visual analog scales was used to assess outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 140 patients, 90 (65%) returned the case-report forms. A 40% reduction in symptom scores was reported. This rose to 55% in patients with a history of allergies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydroxyzine is a useful drug for the symptomatic treatment of IC, especially in patients with documented allergies and/or evidence of bladder mast cell activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology / Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Theoharides
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sant
mesh_terms: D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006919:Hydroxyzine