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Drug therapy for chronic urticaria
Clinical Reviews in Allergy
|January 1, 1992
Summary
For chronic urticaria treatment, regular antihistamine use is recommended as the first-line therapy. If antihistamines are insufficient, short-term glucocorticosteroids may be added to manage symptoms effectively.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic urticaria presents diverse patient challenges, complicating standardized treatment.
- Establishing a universal drug therapy regimen is difficult due to symptom variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a practical therapeutic outline for managing chronic urticaria.
- To guide clinicians in selecting appropriate pharmacological interventions.
Main Methods:
- Recommends regular, daily use of antihistamines as the primary treatment.
- Suggests switching to alternative H1-blockers if sedation or anticholinergic effects occur.
- Proposes short-term addition of glucocorticosteroids if antihistamines prove ineffective at full doses.
Main Results:
- Antihistamines are the initial therapy of choice for most chronic urticaria cases.
- Less sedating antihistamines are preferred for daytime symptom control.
- Glucocorticosteroids, typically at prednisone-equivalent doses of 40 mg daily, can effectively manage refractory symptoms for short periods.
Conclusions:
- A stepwise approach involving antihistamines and short-term glucocorticosteroids offers an effective management strategy for chronic urticaria.
- The goal of corticosteroid therapy is rapid symptom control followed by discontinuation.
- Individualized adjustments to antihistamine therapy are crucial for managing side effects and optimizing patient outcomes.