GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – Updosing desloratadine by up to fourfold beyond the standard 5 mg for chronic spontaneous urticaria boosted treatment response with no effect on safety, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind controlled trial.
The findings support the current guidelines of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA
Dr. Elena Ardelean reported on 29 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria who were randomized to either 5 or 20 mg of desloratadine (Clarinex) on two separate occasions when they presented with urticaria On another occasion they received no treatment. On all three occasions investigators evaluated them for 5 hours. The main end point was the number of spontaneously occurring wheals present at baseline versus 5 hours post treatment, compared with the spontaneous resolution rate with no treatment.
The reduction in wheals 5 hours after administration of 5 mg of desloratadine compared with baseline was 50% greater than with spontaneous resolution. But 20 mg resulted in a significantly greater 70% reduction, said Dr. Ardelean of Charité University Hospital, Berlin. There were no side effects with either dose of desloratadine
The trial was supported by GA2LEN. Dr. Ardelean said she had no relevant financial conflicts.