A double‐blind placebo controlled study of terfenadine in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Abstract

SummaryA double‐blind randomised cross‐over comparison of terfenadine and placebo in the treatment of idiopathic urticaria is reported. Nineteen patients aged 12 years or more were admitted to the study after investigation had failed to reveal any precipitating causes for their urticaria. They were treated with terfenadine 60 mg bd or placebo bd for seven days, followed by a seven day wash‐out period and a further seven days of the opposite treatment. Patients kept daily diary cards recording degree of itch, number of wheals and size of wheals. Results show that terfenadine treatment relieved the symptoms of urticaria to a much greater degree than placebo, and that this was statistically of high significance. Patients were asked whether they preferred the first or second treatment method, and of the 12 who expressed a preference, 11 selected active treatment.It is concluded that terfenadine is an effective treatment for chronic idiopathic urticaria.