Antiinflammatory properties of cetirizine in a human contact dermatitis model. Clinical evaluation of patch tests is not hampered by antihistamines.
The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over pilot study was to assess the antiinflammatory properties of cetirizine. A group of 27 patients with a positive patch test to an allergen consecutively received cetirizine 10 mg o.d. or placebo during a 14-day period, respectively. At day 11 of each period, patch testing was performed with the allergen. The image analysis showed a skin reaction significantly reduced under cetirizine (p = 0.03), but the clinical recording and the standardized chromatometry did not show any difference between groups. In the cross-over analysis the results of image analysis were influenced by the period, but this effect disappeared after adjustment of the ambient temperature during the 3 days of the test. These results demonstrate that cetirizine has an impact on the inflammatory process in a clinical model of cell-mediated allergic reaction, although this effect is only detected with a very sensitive technique. They also show that it is useless to stop antihistamines before patch testing, since clinical evaluation of tests is not hampered by a potent antihistamine. Additionally this study suggests that ambient temperature has an influence on the results of tests.
Grob
J J
JJ
Laboratoire d'Investigation des Maladies de la Peau (LIMP, Hôpital Ste Marguerite, Marseille, France.
Castelain
M
M
Richard
M A
MA
Bonniol
J P
JP
Béraud
V
V
Adhoute
H
H
Guillou
N
N
Bonerandi
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D017332:Cetirizine