[Chronic urticaria: role of oxatomide]

Oxatomide (Tinset) is a new, powerful, antiallergic agent. Pharmacological and morphological studies have shown that oxatomide is not only an antihistaminic agent but it also inhibits mast cells and basophils degranulation, and neoformed mediators synthesis and release. Open and comparative studies have shown oxatomide to be an effective agent in the treatment of chronic urticaria including physical urticaria and food allergy. All these studies confirm its constant efficacy, giving good to excellent results in 68 to 89 percent of cases. It compares favorably with the classic anti-H1, particularly in that the symptomatic response is much quicker. Moreover the drug is always well tolerated, even when used at higher doses than those presently recommended (30 mg twice daily).