title: Evaluation of the antihistamine effects of olopatadine and levocetirizine during a 24-h period: a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled comparison in skin responses induced by histamine iontophoresis.
abstract: The antihistamine effects of olopatadine and levocetirizine, in standard-dose application described in their information (5 mg twice a day for olopatadine; 5 mg once daily for levocetirizine), were examined from 11.5 to 24 h after application. The test was designed in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled study of 12 healthy volunteers on histamine-induced flare and wheal response using an iontophoresis technique. The suppressive effect of olopatadine on the wheals induced by a 0.1-mA histamine iontophoresis lasted for 24 h after dosing. Both drugs inhibited flare induced by histamine iontophoresis almost completely until 24 h after the first administration. Suppression of the 0.2-mA-induced wheal response by levocetirizine, taken once daily, decreased with time, although 0.1-mA-induced flare was almost completely suppressed by the drug. Olopatadine completely suppressed even the wheal response induced by a 0.2-mA histamine iontophoresis. Compared with the placebo, the two drugs significantly suppressed the subjective itching assessed by visual analog scale at all intervals. There were no significant differences in subjective drowsiness and objective cognitive function between drug- and placebo-treated subjects. These results demonstrate that olopatadine seems to be more potent than levocetirizine when administrated in a standard dose. In conclusion, mild to moderate urticaria could be controlled by standard application as described in their information. On the other hand, severe urticaria could be managed by a standard application of olopatadine, but levocetirizine may need an additional dose to control severe urticaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeo
authors.forename: Chikatoshi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kasugai
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Akina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akita
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003990:Dibenzoxepins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006632:Histamine; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003990:Dibenzoxepins; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride; C472067:levocetirizine; D006632:Histamine; D017332:Cetirizine
keywords: antihistamines; flare; histamine iontophoresis; levocetirizine; olopatadine; wheal