LORATADINE IN THE TREATMENT OF URTICARIA

Urticaria is a common skin disease, which, in its chronic form, is a v ery disturbing condition. Because histamine is the best-documented che mical mediator of urticaria, histamine(1)-antagonists are the mainstay of therapy. First-generation antihistamines are limited by their tend ency to produce sedation and anticholinergic side effects. Most of the newer second-generation antihistamines compare well with the earlier agents in efficacy but are not limited by the same adverse side effect s. Loratadine may be distinguished from other second-generation antihi stamines by its pharmacodynamic profile, as well as its tolerability a nd safety.