Comparison of ketotifen and DSCG in treatment of food allergy in children.

The authors treated 17 food allergic, 2-14 year old children with chemoprophylactic drugs. The patients got either ketotifen or DSCG in random allocated for 4 weeks and thereafter a washout period of 2 weeks separated the trial period of the other drug. Oral challenge with the food was performed before the trial period and after a 4 week lasting elimination diet on the last day of each treatment. After the ketotifen therapy in 10 of the 17 patients no symptoms appeared after the challenge, whereas only 5 patients were completely protected by DSCG. However, with regards to isolated organ symptoms the two drugs were of equal value. In case of failure of one drug the other was effective with two exceptions. Symptoms of intolerance (vomiting, angioedema or abdominal cramps) occurred in 3 patients during DSCG treatment and in one of those getting ketotifen. In 3 cases of severe milk allergy (Heiner-Holland syndrome) symptom-free state could be attained only if diet was supplemented by ketotifen. Symptoms of food allergy can be well prevented in children through ketotifen therapy more than by DSCG.