Cyclosporine in chronic idiopathic urticaria: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of severe recalcitrant chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is difficult.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of oral cyclosporin A (CsA) in CIU.


METHODS
The response to CsA was evaluated in 99 CIU patients with a double-blind, randomized, three-armed study: 16-week CsA, 8-week CsA +8-week placebo, and 16-week placebo. All patients received cetirizine throughout the study period and were followed-up after 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Fewer therapeutic failures occurred with 16-week CsA (n = 3) than with placebo (n = 11) and 8-week CsA (n = 8). After 8 and 16 weeks, symptom scores significantly improved in both CsA groups over with placebo. Two patients discontinued because of hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
During the study period, CsA was not administered at a constant dose; from day 28 the daily dose was 3 mg/kg, which is likely to be less effective and better tolerated than higher dosages.


CONCLUSIONS
CsA in addition to background therapy with cetirizine may be useful in the treatment of CIU.
Vena
Gino A
GA
2nd Dermatology Clinic, MIDIM Department, University of Bari, Italy. g.vena@dermatologia.uniba.it
Cassano
Nicoletta
N
Colombo
Delia
D
Peruzzi
Elena
E
Pigatto
Paolo
P
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy*
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine