A double-blind study of loratadine and cetirizine in atopic dermatitis

In a multicenter, randomized, doubleblind parallel trial, the efficacy and safety of Ioratadine and cetirizine were compared in 118 adults with atopic dermatitis. Symptomatic improvements and efficacy, as rated by physicians and patients, were generally similar for the two treatments. Both drugs were well tolerated; 25% of the patients who received loratadine and 27% of those treated with cetirizine reported at least one adverse event. However, the incidence of somnolence was 9% with cetirizine and only 3% with loratadine. In the management of symptoms of atopic dermatitis, loratadine is as effective as cetirizine and is less sedating.