Korean J Dermatol.  2008 Feb;46(2):151-159.

Efficacy and Safety of Fexofenadine in the Treatment of Pruritus Associated with Eczema

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. romio@hanyang.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Dermatology, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Dermatology, Chunam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
  • 5Department of Dermatology, Kangbuk Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 6Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 7Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
  • 8Department of Dermatology, Eulji Universtiy College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 9Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
  • 10Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fexofenadine (Allegra(R)) is a H1-receptor selective antihistamine which exhibits consistent efficacy and safety in the treatment of allergic diseases. We thought that fexofenadine may be useful in treatment of the pruritus associated with eczema.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine in the treatment of pruritus associated with eczema.
METHODS
In this study, patients with atopic and allergic contact dermatitis were divided into a group given fexofenadine 180 mg once daily with topical prednicarbate treatment group or a topical prednicarbate treatment only group, for 1 week. The primary efficacy parameter was the mean change from baseline in pruritus score, and the secondary parameters were the mean change in the incidence of scratching, the mean change in visual analogue scale (0~100 mm) of pruritus, and a comparison of patient satisfaction.
RESULTS
435 patients were included and the mean age was 32.9 years old. The mean pruritus score at baseline was 3.55 point in fexofenadine group and 3.51 point in the control group. Regarding the mean change in pruritus score, fexofenadine significantly decreased the severity of pruritus compared with the control group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the decrease in the incidence of scratching between the two groups. A decrease in pruritus levels utilizing visual analogue scale was significant in the fexofenadine group (p<0.05) and patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the fexofenadine group (p=0.0192). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between two groups (p=0.6237).
CONCLUSION
Fexofenadine administered 180 mg once daily in combination with topical prednicarbate treatment was effective and well tolerated in this study.

Keyword

Allergic contact dermatitis; Antihistamine; Atopic dermatitis; Eczema; Fexofenadine

MeSH Terms

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
Dermatitis, Atopic
Eczema
Humans
Incidence
Patient Satisfaction
Prednisolone
Pruritus
Terfenadine
Prednisolone
Terfenadine
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