Comparative efficacy of bilastine, desloratadine and rupatadine in the suppression of wheal and flare response induced by intradermal histamine in healthy volunteers

AbstractObjective: To compare the peripheral antihistaminic activity of bilastine, rupatadine and desloratadine in inhibiting the histamine-induced wheal and flare (W&F) response.Research design and methods: Twenty-four healthy volunteers aged 18–40 years participated in this crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Subjects received single doses of bilastine 20 mg, desloratadine 5 mg, rupatadine 10 mg and placebo. W&F responses induced by intradermal injection of histamine 5 μg were evaluated before treatment (basal value) and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 24 hours after treatment. Fifteen minutes after histamine injection, W&F surface areas (cm2) were quantified using the Visitrak System. Itching sensation was evaluated using a 100 mm visual analog scale.EudraCT number: 2015-000790-13.Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the percentage reduction in W&F areas after each active treatment compared with corresponding basal values.Results: Bilastine induced th...