The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XXI): antihistamine pharmacotherapy

Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2001 Sep 20;81(3-4):323-9. doi: 10.1016/s0165-2427(01)00306-3.

Abstract

Antihistamines frequently are recommended by veterinary dermatologists for symptomatic treatment of pruritus associated with canine atopic dermatitis (AD), perhaps because of their moderate success in some human patients with AD. A critical review of the literature describing antihistamine use in canine AD reveals that the majority of published, peer-reviewed studies are open, uncontrolled or partially-controlled trials. Such studies vary widely in reported efficacy, from perhaps 0 to 75% of patients, even using the same drug. The few blinded placebo-controlled trials available have failed to confirm efficacy of these drugs to relieve the pruritus of canine AD. Some studies indicate that synergistic effects could occur with concurrent use of essential fatty acid supplements. Consequently, at the time of this writing, there is insufficient evidence to conclude for or against the efficacy of antihistamines for treatment of canine AD. Additional blinded, randomized and controlled trials with larger numbers of patients are necessary to establish which of the antihistamine drugs currently available, if any, are truly efficacious for canine AD. Nevertheless, present clinician consensus suggests that several different antihistamine drugs should be evaluated in sequence, for 7-14 days each, in canine patients with AD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / drug therapy*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / veterinary*
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dogs
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Societies, Medical
  • United States

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists