Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine in the management of chronic idiopathic urticaria: a prospective study with 512 patients.

Five hundred and twelve patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) were treated with fexofenadine at a dose on 180 mg/day. Maximum number of patients were between 20 to 40 years of age and female to male ratio was 1.45:1. The severity of itching was calculated on a scale of 0 to 4 and was recorded by the patients. The mean daily total symptom score (TSS) was measured as sum of the patients' pruritus and number of wheal scores (0 to 7). A mean TSS was determined for each week. Baseline TSS came down to '0' by 4 weeks in all groups except those with TSS 4. There was no correlation between the baseline TSS and degree of improvement. Of 512, 14 (2.73%) patients did not complete the study. The commonest adverse effect was headache (9.04%). There was no report of drowsiness or cardiac arrhythmia. In no patient fexofenadine had to be withdrawn because of its adverse effects.