h2 receptor antagonists
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
H2 receptor antagonists have been shown in studies to have some effect in reducing itching and the body surface area affected in acute urticaria. A Cochrane review found that the combination of an H2 receptor antagonist such as ranitidine in combination with diphenhydramine was more effective in the resolution of urticaria than diphenhydramine alone. H2 antagonists comparably reduced itching, wheal size and intensity however, there was no improvement overall in symptoms of urticaria.
Although the primary evidence for this agent has many limitations and these agents are not recommended as monotherapy there may be some benefit when used in combination with diphenhydramine. However, there is no concrete place in therapy and this product would not be recommended.
References
1. Fedorowicz Z, van Zuuren EJ, Hu N. Histamine H2-receptor antagonists for urticaria (Review). The Cochrane Collaboration. 2012;3: CD008596.
2. Watson NT, Weiss EL, Harter PM. Famotidine in the treatment of acute urticaria. Clinical and Experimental Dermatoloy. Dec 2011; 25(3): 186-190.
3. Wong HK. Acute urticaria treatment & management. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/137362-treatment#aw2aab6b6b2 . March 2014. Accessed on: June 22, 2014.
H2 receptor antagonists have been shown in studies to have some effect in reducing itching and the body surface area affected in acute urticaria. A Cochrane review found that the combination of an H2 receptor antagonist such as ranitidine in combination with diphenhydramine was more effective in the resolution of urticaria than diphenhydramine alone. H2 antagonists comparably reduced itching, wheal size and intensity however, there was no improvement overall in symptoms of urticaria.
Although the primary evidence for this agent has many limitations and these agents are not recommended as monotherapy there may be some benefit when used in combination with diphenhydramine. However, there is no concrete place in therapy and this product would not be recommended.
References
1. Fedorowicz Z, van Zuuren EJ, Hu N. Histamine H2-receptor antagonists for urticaria (Review). The Cochrane Collaboration. 2012;3: CD008596.
2. Watson NT, Weiss EL, Harter PM. Famotidine in the treatment of acute urticaria. Clinical and Experimental Dermatoloy. Dec 2011; 25(3): 186-190.
3. Wong HK. Acute urticaria treatment & management. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/137362-treatment#aw2aab6b6b2 . March 2014. Accessed on: June 22, 2014.