title: Efficacy and safety of desloratadine 5 mg once daily in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) has a major impact on patient well-being. Antihistamines are the first-line treatment for CIU; however, some cause sedation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to study the efficacy and safety of desloratadine, 5 mg, a new H(1)-receptor antagonist, in patients with moderate to severe CIU.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter trial of 6 weeks' duration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with placebo, desloratadine significantly improved the total CIU symptom score as well as pruritus, the number of hives, and the size of the largest hive. Overall therapeutic response and global CIU status improved significantly with desloratadine; interference with sleep was reduced and the performance of daily activities improved. Statistically and clinically significant improvements were seen within the first 24 hours of treatment and were sustained throughout the full duration of the study. The incidence of adverse events, including somnolence, was similar in the desloratadine and placebo groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Desloratadine is a well-tolerated and effective treatment of CIU.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Healthcare, Milwaukee Medical Clinic, WI 53209-0996, USA. emonroe@ah.com
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monroe
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Finn
authors.forename: Piyush
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Robinson
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ratner
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D017336:Loratadine; C121345:desloratadine