title: Burn wound itch control using H1 and H2 antagonists.
abstract: This study investigated the use of a combination of H1 and H2 antagonists and topical medications to control burn wound itch. Graeco-Latin square assignment provided an oral combination of 1) cetirizine and cimetidine or 2) diphenhydramine and placebo in four divided doses. The study protocol lasted 16 days divided into 4-day intervals, scoring itch before the initial dose of medication and at 1-hour, 6-hour, and 12-hour intervals after the first medication. A significant difference between mean itch scores across the four times was observed (Wilks' Lambda F = 26.52, df = 3, P <.0005). A three-way nested repeated measures interaction effect (Wilks' Lambda F = 9.85, df = 9, P <.0005) was observed representing a significantly different pattern on days 1 to 4 of the study compared with the remaining days. Controlling for the effect of topical medications, the cetirizine/cimetidine combination demonstrated a dramatic improvement at 1 and 6 hours, and a moderate improvement at 12 hours after initial medication for the day when compared with the diphenhydramine/placebo combination.
authors.affiliation: The Clifford R. Boeckman Regional Burn Center, Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Ohio 44308-1062, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Shuber
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Leibfarth
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Latko
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D002927:Cimetidine; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D017332:Cetirizine