Comparative efficacy of levocetirizine, desloratidine and fexofenadine by histamine wheal suppression test.

Article Details

Citation

Copy to clipboard

Dhanya NB, Thasleem Z, Rai R, Srinivas CR

Comparative efficacy of levocetirizine, desloratidine and fexofenadine by histamine wheal suppression test.

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2008 Jul-Aug;74(4):361-3.

PubMed ID

18797058 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Histamine is the major mediator of allergic reactions. Newer H1 antihistaminics like levocetirizine, fexofenadine, and desloratadine are used in the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and urticaria. The ability to block the cutaneous response to intradermal histamine is used to evaluate the potential of antihistamines. AIMS: To compare the potency, onset, and duration of action of the commonly used antihistamines-levocetirizine, fexofenadine, and desloratadine. METHODS: Thirty volunteers were given three single doses of levocetirizine, fexofenadine and desloratadine at weekly intervals. A pretest was performed by using the intradermal histamine prick test. After administration of the drugs, the intradermal test was repeated at (1/2), 1, 2, 3, 6 and 24 h, and the sizes of the wheal were measured. The mean values were taken and were compared by using Levene's t-test. RESULTS: At 30 min, fexofenadine showed a statistically significant suppression of wheal size compared to levocetirizine and desloratadine. Two and three hours after administration, levocetirizine and fexofenadine showed statistically significant inhibition of wheal size while only levocetirizine had this effect after six hours when compared to desloratadine. Desloratadine showed greater inhibition of wheal size at the end of 24 h when compared to levocetirizine and fexofenadine but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Fexofenadine had the earliest onset of action while levocetirizine showed maximum inhibition of wheal response after three and six hours.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Desloratadine	Histamine H1 receptor	Protein	Humans	Yes	Antagonist	Details