J Med Assoc Thai 2002; 85 (4):482

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Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Loratadine Syrup in Childhood Atopic Dermatitis Treated with Mometasone Furoate 0.1 Per Cent Cream
Chunharas A Mail, Wisuthsarewong W , Wananukul S , Viravan S

WANEE WISUTHSAREWONG, M.D.**,
SUCHITRA VIRA VAN, M.D.**
Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease in Thai children. The treatment of atopic
dermatitis requires topical corticosteroids, emollients, systemic antihistamine as well as avoidance
of the precipitating factors. A double blind multicenter placebo controlled study was conducted to
assess the therapeutic efficacy of topical mometasone furoate 0.1 per cent cream in combination
with loratadine syrup. Forty-eight patients, 23 boys and 25 girls, mean age 73.67 months, with
atopic dermatitis were included in the study. The severity of the disease was measured by using the
SCORAD index including the degree of erythema, dryness, edema/papulation, oozing/crusting,
lichenification, and excoriation. Total area involved was measured and a target area of dermatitis
was selected for specific evaluation. The degree of clinical signs and pruritic symptom was graded.
The sensation of pruritus, disturbance of sleep due to pruritus, and feeling of sleepiness in the
morning were recorded. Mometasone furoate 0.1 per cent cream was applied to all patients once
daily. One group received loratadine syrup and another group received placebo syrup. They were
followed-up on day 5, 8 and 15. The severity of atopic dermatitis and pruritus significantly decreased
after 14 days of treatment in both groups (p
<
0.001). There was no difference in therapeutic res-
ponse between the loratadine and placebo groups (p
=
0.99). All signs examined had decreased by
the end of the study. The result demonstrated that 0.1 per cent mometasone therapy is very effec-
tive for treating childhood atopic dermatitis. Loratadine did not show beneficial effect when com-
bined with good topical corticosteroid but it was safe and had no serious side effect on the children.
Key word
: Atopic Dermatitis, Mometasone Furoate, Loratadine

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