Loratadine in the treatment of urticaria.

Urticaria is a common skin disease, which in its chronic form, is a very disturbing condition. Because histamine is the best-documented chemical mediator of urticaria, histamine-antagonists are the mainstay of therapy. First-generation antihistamines are limited by their tendency to produce sedation and anticholinergic side effects. Most of the newer second generation antihistamines compare well with the earlier agents in efficacy but are not limited by the same adverse side effects. Loratadine may be distinguished from other second-generation antihistamines by its pharmacodynamic profile, as well as its tolerability and safety.