Intravenous (iv) cetirizine shows greater overall benefit to iv diphenhydramine for acute urticaria

Acute urticaria is the most common symptom of acute allergic reactions. Diphenhydramine injection, the only available H1-antihistamine injection, is a 1stgeneration antihistamine with many side effects including sedation, short duration, anticholinergic effect, drug-drug interactions. Cetirizine injection, the first innovation in the H1-antihistamine injection space since 1955, minimizes these problems. A phase 3 clinical trial using a newly developed IV cetirizine was compared to IV diphenhydramine in treatment of acute urticaria.

Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - November 1, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: W. Berger, M. Blaiss, I. Stiell, J. Moellman, H. Klausner, J. Caterino, S. Suner, A. Kessler, J. Du Tags: P161 Source Type: research