Failure of terfenadine in relieving the pruritus of atopic dermatitis

Abstract

We report the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of terfenadine 120 mg twice daily for pruritus in atopic dermatitis. Twenty-eight subjects with chronic atopic dermatitis received both terfenadine 120 mg b.d. and placebo each for a period of 1 week. Response was recorded by the subjects using visual analogue scales for severity of pruritus twice daily for the last 4 days of each treatment phase. There was no benefit from terfenadine.