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New Research - June 2009
Comparative activities of second-generation antihistamines and hydroxyzine on skin tests to allergen and histamine
The authors of this paper wished to compare hydroxyzine with desloratadine, epinastine and fexofenadine in regards to their ability to suppress skin test reactions to histamine and D. pteronyssinus. Skin prick tests were employed before and 4 hours after the administration of hydroxyzine 25 mg, desloratadine 5 mg, epinastine 20 mg and fexofenadine 120 mg. A placebo was also utilized.
Wheal and flare was measured by digital photography and planimetric analysis. Hydroxyzine suppressed histamine reactivity more effectively than did any of the "second-generation" antihistamines. Ten to twenty percent of individuals treated with second-generation antihistamines demonstrated reduced skin reactivity to histamine, whereas more than 50% of hydroxyzine patients did so. Similar results were obtained after D. pteronyssinus prick testing.
The authors concluded that the hydroxyzine was more effective in suppressing cutaneous reactions to both histamine and allergen, and stated that the results "suggest that higher doses of nonsedating antihistamines than those currently recommended are required for treatment of skin responses."
Reference
dos Santos, et al. Suppression of histamine- and allergen-induced skin reactions: comparison of first- and second-generation antihistamines. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 2009; 102(6):495-499.
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