A DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY OF LORATADINE AND CETIRIZINE IN ATOPIC-DERMATITIS

In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind parallel trial, the efficac y and safety of loratadine and cetirizine were compared in 118 adults with atopic dermatitis. Symptomatic improvements and efficacy, as rate d by physicians and patients, were generally similar for the two treat ments. Both drugs were well tolerated; 25% of the patients who receive d loratadine and 27% of those treated with cetirizine reported at leas t one adverse event. However, the incidence of somnolence was 9% with cetirizine and only 3% with loratadine. In the management of symptoms of atopic dermatitis, loratadine is as effective as cetirizine and is less sedating.