Does mast cell protection plus mediator antagonism surpass the effect of a classic antihistaminic in the treatment of chronic urticaria? A double-blind comparison of oxatomide and mequitazine.

A new type of antiallergic drug, oxatomide (60 mg daily), was compared with the antihistaminic, mequitazine (10 mg daily), in a 5-week double-blind randomized study involving 26 patients with chronic urticaria. In the 13 oxatomide-treated patients, papules, erythema and pruritus were significantly suppressed after 2 weeks, which was markedly more rapid than with mequitazine. Slight somnolence was reported by 3 patients on oxatomide and 1 on mequitazine; in the latter case, severe urine retention was also reported. Another patient on mequitazine had to discontinue treatment because of severe drowsiness.