Oxatomide in the treatment of atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of oxatomide in patients with atopic dermatitis, caused by alimentary allergy established by prick test and/or Rast and/or challenge test. METHODS: In the study, carried out in a paediatric clinic, 40 children (24 males, 16 females), aged between 6 months and 12 years, were randomized in two groups. Twenty children were treated with oxatomide (1 mg/kg/day) in one evening dose and the other 20 were treated at the same dosage, divided into two administrations. In the case of poor therapeutic response, 15 days after the start of treatment, it was possible to double the dosage. The skin symptoms were monitored for the efficacy. RESULTS: For all symptoms there was a significant reduction of severity within the fifteenth day (p < 0.01). Twenty eight children showed significant improvement with the disappearance of both cutaneous lesions and itching; to achieve these results in four cases (3 BID, 1 UID) it was necessary to double the dose (2 mg/kg/day). Eight children achieved a fair control of itching, with a slight improvement of eczema, while five children, despite the increase in dosage of the drug, did not get any substantial benefit. Three children were lost in follow-up, while in another case treatment was suspended because of the onset of an urticarious rash. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the efficacy of oxatomide in the control of itching connected with alimentary allergy independently of the posological scheme. Tolerability was excellent in both groups and no important side-effects were recorded.