Combined H1 and H2 antihistamine therapy in chronic urticaria

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Abstract
Chronic urticaria is a frustrating problem for the patient and the physician. The cause is usually undertermined and the therapy is directed toward controlling symptoms. Recent evidence that human skin blood vessels possess H2 receptors and H1 receptors, suggests a possible reason for the frequent failure of H1 antihistamines in controlling this disorder. Eighteen patients with refractory chronic idiopathic urticaria participated in a double-blind, cross-over study to evaluate the efficacy of combined H1 (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) and H2 (cimetidine) antihistamines vs. H1 antihistamines alone. Combined H1 and H2 antihistamine therapy is statistically more effective than H1 antihistamines alone in controlling the symptoms of chronic urticaria.