Fexofenadine HCl is safe and effective for treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.
BACKGROUND
Fexofenadine is a nonsedating antihistamine approved for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.


OBJECTIVE
This dose-finding study assessed the safety and efficacy of fexofenadine in chronic idiopathic urticaria.


METHODS
The 4-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study included patients diagnosed with chronic urticaria who had moderate to severe pruritus. Patients received twice daily oral doses of placebo or fexofenadine HCl (20, 60, 120, or 240 mg) at 7 AM and 7 PM. Patients recorded scores for pruritus severity and number of wheals (over the previous 12 hours) in a daily diary. Efficacy variables included mean daily changes from baseline in pruritus severity, number of wheals, and interference with sleep and daily activities due to urticaria.


RESULTS
Patients (N = 418) from 37 investigative sites were included. All four fexofenadine HCl doses were statistically superior to placebo (P < or = .0115) for reducing pruritus and number of wheals scores over the 4-week treatment period. There were greater reductions in urticaria symptoms in the 60 mg fexofenadine HCl group than in the 20 mg group, while similar reductions were observed in the 60, 120, and 240 mg dose groups. Additionally, patients receiving fexofenadine experienced significantly less interference with sleep and daily activities than patients receiving placebo (P < or = .0014). Adverse events occurred with similar incidence in all treatment groups, with no dose-related increases in any event.


CONCLUSIONS
Fexofenadine HCl significantly reduced pruritus severity, number of wheals, and interference with sleep and normal daily activities in patients with chronic urticaria compared with placebo. Twice-daily doses of 60 mg or greater were most effective.
Nelson
H S
HS
National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA.
Reynolds
R
R
Mason
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000139:chemically induced; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D016593:Terfenadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000139:chemically induced; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D016593:Terfenadine; C093230:fexofenadine