Astemizole versus chlorpheniramine maleate in the treatment of chronic urticaria

Summary This study included 40 patients with chronic urt icaria 32 out 40 cases were females and 8 cases were males. It was found that the highest age group of iACi- dance was between (20-40) years old,and the lowest was between (50-60) years old Children were excluded in this study The etiology of chronic urticaria was dete- rmined in only 3510 of cases The cases were divided into two groups AST and chlorpheniramine treated group Both AST and chlorphe- niramine reported improvement of urticarial symptomes but the effect was significantly greater and long act- ing with AST.The effect of AST increased with time,whe-reas that of chlorpheniramine decreased.At the end of the study 85% of AST treated patients reported an exce llent and good response compared to 25% of chlorpheni-ramine treated patients Increased appetite wi th or wi thout we ight gain and swelling of extremities were the most side effects rep orted with AST therapy Whereas,drowsiness and dryness of the mucous membranes were the most side effects of chlorpheniramine therapy.Drowsiness was reported with both drugs therapy. But it was significantly more in pa- tients on chlorpheniramine than those on AST treatment.