Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Rupatadine is effective in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria in children aged 2-11 years
Paul Potter1, Essack Mitha2, László Barkai3
1Allergy Diagnostic and Clinical Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, Cape Town, South Africa.
Insights
Rupatadine effectively treats chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in children, significantly reducing symptoms and improving quality of life compared to placebo. This H1 and PAF antagonist is well-tolerated in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Current chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) treatment guidelines for children often rely on adult data.
- Rupatadine, a dual H1 and PAF antagonist, is approved in Europe for allergic rhinitis and CSU in children.
- Pediatric-specific efficacy and safety data for CSU treatments are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rupatadine in pediatric patients with CSU.
- To compare rupatadine with desloratadine and placebo in treating childhood CSU.
- To assess the impact of treatment on children's quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial in children aged 2-11 years with CSU.
- Comparison of rupatadine, desloratadine, and placebo over a 6-week treatment period.
- Primary endpoint: modified 7-day Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) change.
Main Results:
- Both rupatadine and desloratadine showed statistically significant improvement in UAS7 compared to placebo (p < 0.001).
- Rupatadine demonstrated a 55.8% decrease in UAS7, significantly reducing pruritus compared to placebo.
- Active treatments improved children's quality of life; adverse events were rare and non-serious.
Conclusions:
- Rupatadine is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for pediatric CSU, enhancing quality of life.
- This study provides the first evidence using a modified UAS for CSU efficacy in children.
- Rupatadine offers a valuable therapeutic option for childhood CSU.
Background:
Recommendations in current guidelines for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in infants and children are mostly based on extrapolation of data obtained in adults. This study reports the efficacy and safety of rupatadine, a modern H1 and PAF antagonist recently authorized in Europe for children with allergic rhinitis and CSU.
Methods:
A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, multicentre, placebo-controlled compared study to desloratadine was carried out in children aged 2-11 years with CSU, with or without angio-oedema. Patients received either rupatadine (1 mg/ml), or desloratadine (0.5 mg/ml) or placebo once daily over 6 weeks. A modified 7-day cumulative Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) was employed as the primary end-point.
Results:
The absolute change of UAS7 at 42 days showed statistically significant differences between active treatments vs. placebo (-5.5 ± 7.5 placebo, -11.8 ± 8.7 rupatadine and -10.6 ± 9.6 desloratadine; p < 0.001) and without differences between antihistamines compounds. There was a 55.8% decrease for rupatadine followed by desloratadine (-48.4%) and placebo (-30.3%). Rupatadine but not desloratadine was statistically superior to placebo in reduction of pruritus (-57%). Active treatments also showed a statistically better improvement in children's quality of life compared to placebo. Adverse events were uncommon and non-serious in both active groups.
Conclusion:
Rupatadine is effective and well tolerated in the relief of urticaria symptoms, improving quality of life over 6 weeks in children with CSU. This is the first study using a modified UAS to assess severity and efficacy outcome in CSU in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:30Hypersensitivities
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
01:26Peptic Ulcer Disease IV: Management
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current...
01:30Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and...
01:30Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis