title: Efficacy of dimetinden and hydroxyzine/chlorpheniramine in atopic dogs: a randomised, controlled, double-blinded trial.
abstract: Antihistaminic drugs are commonly used as symptomatic therapy of atopic dermatitis in dogs. Unfortunately, their clinical benefit is largely unsubstantiated. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, the influence of dimetinden and of a combination of chlorpheniramine and hydroxyzine on pruritus and lesions was evaluated in 19 dogs. They were treated with either product or a placebo orally for 14 days, each time followed by a 14-day washout period. Before and after each period, the dogs were examined and the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) determined by a clinician, and the pruritus and general condition by the owner. Dimetinden improved the pruritus significantly (P=0.014) but not the CADESI (P=0.087), the combination of hydroxyzine and chlorpheniramine improved the CADESI (P=0.049) and pruritus (P=0.05) significantly. Ten of 17 dogs improved by more than 25 per cent in pruritus with the combination of hydroxyzine and chlorpheniramine, 12 of 18 with dimetindenmaleate and only 2 of 19 with placebo. Antihistamines can help to reduce pruritus in atopic dogs, but in most cases, the improvement is limited and additional treatment may be needed.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich 80539, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eichenseer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002744:Chlorpheniramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004115:Dimethindene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D002744:Chlorpheniramine; D004115:Dimethindene
keywords: Allergy; Atopy; Clinical trials; Dogs; Treatment