Comparison of the efficacy of fexofenadine 120 and 240 mg/day on chronic idiopathic urticaria and histamine-induced skin responses in Japanese populations.

BACKGROUND

H1-antihistamines are the first-line treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), but CIU is occasionally refractory to the conventional treatment doses. Guidelines in Europe recommend increasing doses as second-line therapy; however, more supportive evidences for these guidelines are required to justify this management strategy.

METHODS

In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of conventional and double doses of fexofenadine HCl on CIU and on histamine-induced skin responses by iontophoresis using visual and laser Doppler imaging scales in healthy donors.

RESULTS

Cutaneous manifestations in CIU and histamine-induced flare and itch in healthy donors were attenuated more extensively by a double dose of fexofenadine HCl compared with a conventional dose.

CONCLUSION

The above findings support the management strategy that increasing the dose of non-sedative antihistamines is the second-line treatment choice for refractory CIU even in Japanese populations.