FEXOFENADINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC URTICARIA (CIU) PATIENTS IN KARACHI

摘要

Objective: To describe the effects of Fexofenadine HC1180 mg administered once daily for two weeks in patients in Karachi suffering from Chronic idiopathic U rticaria (CIU). Design: Open, non-comparative study conducted at PNSRahat (Naval Hospital) Karachi. Fexofenadine HC1180 mg once daily was prescribed for a two weeks period to patients aged 12 years and above with history of six or more weeks of idiopathic urticaria. Clinical symptoms and signs were evaluated before treatment and two weeks following treatment with Fexofenadine HCI. Results: 66 Patients completed a two weeks treatment period. 94 % patients reported reduction in severity of itching whereas 53% reported com plete relief from itch in g. Th ere was red uctio n in the num ber of w hea ls in 9 1 % o f pa tie nts with co mp lete d isapp eara nce o f wh eals in 5 4.5 % pa tie nts. Erythem a was presen t in 97 % pa tie nts b efo re tre atm ent b ut was not d etecta ble in 62 % pa tie nts following tre atm ent. W hile 63/66 (95%) patients complained that the condition interfered with their normal daily activity prior to treatment; after two weeks treatment with Fexofenadine HCI (53/66) 80% responded that it no longer interfered with normal activity. There was a statistically significant reduction in the mean Total Symptom Score from 13.3 (± 5.2) to 3.1 (± 3.5) with mean reduction of 10.2 (95% Cl, 8.9-11.4). 15 (23%) patients reported a single side effect each, the most com mon being fatigue (eight), headache (six), and nausea (three). C onclusion: This study suggests that Fexofenadine HCI is effective and safe in relieving symptoms and signs of patients suffering from Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria.