TY - JOUR T1 - Efficacy and safety of desloratadine 5 mg once daily in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. AU - Monroe,Eugene, AU - Finn,Albert, AU - Patel,Piyush, AU - Guerrero,Robinson, AU - Ratner,Paul, AU - Bernstein,David, AU - ,, PY - 2003/3/29/pubmed PY - 2003/4/23/medline PY - 2003/3/29/entrez SP - 535 EP - 41 JF - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology JO - J Am Acad Dermatol VL - 48 IS - 4 N2 - BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) has a major impact on patient well-being. Antihistamines are the first-line treatment for CIU; however, some cause sedation. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study the efficacy and safety of desloratadine, 5 mg, a new H(1)-receptor antagonist, in patients with moderate to severe CIU. METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter trial of 6 weeks' duration. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, desloratadine significantly improved the total CIU symptom score as well as pruritus, the number of hives, and the size of the largest hive. Overall therapeutic response and global CIU status improved significantly with desloratadine; interference with sleep was reduced and the performance of daily activities improved. Statistically and clinically significant improvements were seen within the first 24 hours of treatment and were sustained throughout the full duration of the study. The incidence of adverse events, including somnolence, was similar in the desloratadine and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: Desloratadine is a well-tolerated and effective treatment of CIU. SN - 0190-9622 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/12664016/Efficacy_and_safety_of_desloratadine_5_mg_once_daily_in_the_treatment_of_chronic_idiopathic_urticaria:_a_double_blind_randomized_placebo_controlled_trial_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -