[Results of treatment with loratadine in patients with chronic urticaria]

This study aimed at evaluating loratadine efficiency versus placebo in the treatment of patients with chronic urticaria. The single blind trial involved 31 patients divided into the group treated with active drug (21 patients), and placebo (10 patients). Loratadine in a daily dose of 10 mg (1 tablet in the evening) was administered for 28 days whereas placebo was given for 14 days. Patients filled so-called self-observation charts in which a severity of disease symptoms and/or adverse reactions were noted every day. Skin test with histamine was performed in the hospital before the trial, after 2 weeks, and in the last day of the treatment. The obtained results showed a marked decrease in erythema, wheals, and prurigo in patients treated with loratadine. No such an improvement was seen in placebo group. Skin reaction to histamine was also markedly reduced in loratadine group. Loratadine proved an efficient agent in the treatment of the chronic urticaria in 71% of patients.