Therapeutic effect of loratadine on pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis. A multi-crossover-designed study

The aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of loratadine on pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis, considering the patients' sensation of itch. Sixteen patients, mean age 24.8 years, with moderate or severe atopic dermatitis were included in a double-blind and placebo-controlled study with a six-period, multi-crossover design. The patients were given 10 mg loratadine or placebo every day, alternating between loratadine and placebo every 2 weeks. The degree of pruritus during the day and during the night was recorded by the patients every morning and every evening, respectively, on a 10-cm visual analog scale. The study detected a significant effect of loratadine, as compared with placebo, on pruritus during the day, pruritus during the night, and severity of rash. At least nine of the 16 patients included were classified as responders and only one as a nonresponder to loratadine treatment. It is concluded that loratadine may be tried as an adjuvant therapy in the management of severe and moderate atopic dermatitis, in patients complaining of pruritus.