Trattamento dell'orticaria cronica idiopatica

Chronic idiopathic urticaria is an eruption of erythematous or oedematous swellings usually associated with itching. It is present in more than 50% of the patients with urticaria and its aetiology is unknown. H1-antihistamines are the first line treatment of urticaria but their use has been limited by their side effects especially sedation. Some therapies have been proposed in recent years such as doxepin (a tricyclic antidepressant in a dose of 25-50 mg/die), leukotriene receptor antagonists, calcium channel antagonists, theophylline, danazol and UV radiation. Oral systemic corticosteroides are effective in some patients with severe urticaria but prolonged use should be avoided because of the risk of side-effects. Recently a new treatment with cyclosporine has been developed (5 mg/kg/die for the first 13 days, 4 mg/kg/die for 14 days and 3 rog/kg/die until the 16^th week).