A new antihistamine hc20-511 compared with dimetinden (fenistil retard) in the treatment of chronic urticaria and other pruritic dermatoses.

The new antihistamine, HC20-511 (Sandoz), was compared with Dimetinden (Fenistil retard) in a single-blind comparative study in 42 patients with dermatoses, 28 of whom suffered from chronic urticaria. HC20-511 had a better effect, especially in chronic urticaria, where pruritus, erythema and papules quickly disappeared. The effect appeared somewhat faster than and lasted as long as that of Dimetinden, although HC20-511 is not a retard-preparation unlike the Dimetinden preparation used for comparison. HC20-511 also caused less side effects.