EFFICACY OF CETIRIZINE IN CHOLINERGIC URTICARIA

In order to examine the efficacy of cetirizine in cholinergic urticari a, we studied 24 patients in a double-blind crossover design during 3- week treatment periods, with either 10 or 20 mg/d cetirizine or placeb o. The placebo period was always placed in between the two verum treat ments to allow for a washout of the drug. Evaluation of the patients' daily symptom scores based on itching, erythema and whealing showed a highly significant improvement (p < 0.01). The percentage of days with mild or no symptoms was also increased significantly with the drug (p < 0.05). Except for whealing (p < 0.05), no significant differences b etween the two dosages of cetirizine could be determined. Since antihi stamines have previously been shown to be frequently unsatisfactory in the treatment of cholinergic urticaria, the present data are encourag ing regarding the control of symptoms in this condition.