Acrivastine versus terfenadine in the treatment of symptomatic dermographism--a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Twelve patients with symptomatic dermographism were entered into a double-blind, crossover study. Patients received 8 mg acrivastine three times daily, 60 mg terfenadine three times daily or placebo, according to a fully randomized balanced treatment plan. Subjective clinical assessments were performed and the response to experimentally induced dermographism was assessed. Both active treatments were well tolerated and were shown to be significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of symptomatic dermographism and in reducing the signs and symptoms of wealing induced by a dermographometer.