In a 4-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel study to compare the efficacy of cetirizine and astemizole, 47 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria were enrolled, with 19 cetirizine- and 17 astemizole-treated patients being taken into account for final analysis. Both treatment groups were comparable at initial visit. Giant weals, weals, erythema and oedema were improved in both treatment groups after treatment for 1 – 4 weeks. Patients' evaluation using a visual analogue scale and symptom scores assessed on a four-point scale showed that the improvement was significantly better using cetirizine for weals (P = 0.04) and there was a trend (P = 0.09) in favour of cetirizine for the visual analogue scale. The number and severity of side-effects were similar in both treatment groups.
RihouxJPDupontP: Comparative study of the peripheral and central effects of terfenadine and cetirizine 2HC1. Ann Allergy1987; 59: 235–238.
2.
Gendreau-ReidLSimonsKJSimonsFER: Comparison of the suppressive effect of astemizole, terfenadine and hydroxyzine on histamine-induced weals and flares in humans. J Allergy Clin Immunol1986; 77: 335–340.
3.
GhysLRihouxJP: Pharmacological modulation of cutaneous reactivity to histamine: a double-blind acute comparative study between cetirizine, terfenadine and astemizole. J Int Med Res1989; 17: 24–27.
4.
RihouxJPDupontP: Pharmacological modulation by astemizole and cetirizine 2HC1 of the skin reactivity to histamine. Acta Ther1989; 15: 265–270.
5.
LobatonPMorenoFCoulieP: Cetirizine versus astemizole in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis and study of the concomitant effect on various histamine and allergen-induced responses. Ann Allergy; in press.
6.
PaulEBodekerRH: Comparison of astemizole and terfenadine in chronic urticaria. In: Focus on Astemizole in Chronic Urticaria.Oxford: Medical Education Services, 1985; p. 13.
7.
CainelliTSeidenariSValsecchiR: Double-blind comparison of astemizole and terfenadine in the treatment of chronic urticaria. Pharmatherapeutica1986; 4: 679–686.
8.
LambertDBloomMBeaumontD: Double-blind comparative study of terfenadine versus astemizole efficacy, onset of action, and tolerance in idiopathic chronic urticaria (Abstract). XIVth Congress of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Berlin, 17–22 September 1989.
9.
MobackenH: Comparison of astemizole and chlorpheniramine in chronic urticaria. In: Focus on Astemizole in Chronic Urticaria.Oxford: Medical Education Services, 1985; pp 10–11.
10.
GoMJTHArendtCBernheimJ: Double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of cetirizine and terfenadine in chronic idiopathic urticaria. Acta Ther1989; 15: 77–86.
11.
JuhlinLArendtC: Treatment of chronic urticaria with cetirizine dihydrochloride, a non-sedating antihistamine. Br J Dermatol1988; 119: 67–72.
12.
KintAConstantLArendtC: Comparative efficacy of cetirizine and terfenadine in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Acta Ther1989; 15: 65–75.
13.
MacHerEEichelbergD: Terfenadine and cetirizine in chronic idiopathic urticara (Abstract). XIVth Congress of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Berlin, 17–22 September 1989.
14.
LantinJPHugenotCPecoudA: Effect of astemizole on skin tests (Abstract). New Engl Reg Allergy Proc1988; 9: 367.
15.
FadelRHerpin-RichardNRihouxJP: Inhibitory effect of cetirizine 2HC1 on eosinophil migration in vivo. Clin Allergy1987; 17: 373–379.
16.
FadelRHerpin-RichardNHenocqE: Inhibition by cetirizine 2HC1 of antigen-induced eosinophil migration in allergic subjects. Health Sci Rev1989; 3: 11–13.
17.
MichelLDe VosCRihouxJP: Inhibitory effect of oral cetirizine on in vivo antigen-induced histamine and PAF-acether release and eosinophil recruitment in human skin. J Allergy Clin Immunol1988; 82: 101–109.
18.
MichelLDe VosCRihouxJP: Inhibitory effect of cetirizine on Ag-induced histamine and PGD2 release and on eosinophil recruitment in allergic patients (Abstract). Ann Allergy1987; 59: 67.
19.
MichelLJean-LouisFBurtinC: Measurement of cetirizine effects on protein diffusion, mediator releases, and eosinophil recruitment during in vivo anaphylactic cutaneous reactions. Health Sci Rev1989; 3: 14–17.
20.
CharlesworthENKagey-SobotkaANormanPSEffect of cetirizine on mast cell-mediator release and cellular traffic during the cutaneous late-phase reaction. J Allergy Clin Immunol1989; 83: 905–12.
21.
LeprevostCCapronMDe VosC: Inhibition of eosinophil chemotaxis by a new anti-allergic compound (cetirizine). Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol1988; 87: 9–13.
