Terfenadine in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria and atopic dermatitis.

The use of the nonsedating antihistamine terfenadine (60 mg twice daily) in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria and contact urticaria associated with atopic dermatitis was assessed. In patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, terfenadine was found to be as effective as the traditional antihistamine clemastine in reducing the number of wheals and the severity of itch, without causing drowsiness. A separate study showed terfenadine to be of value in some patients with atopic dermatitis and a history of contact urticaria.