From the Guidelines
Femotadine is not a recognized medication for urticaria, and the correct medication is likely famotidine, which is typically prescribed at a dose of 20 mg twice daily for adults, as guided by the most recent evidence 1. The dose of famotidine for urticaria can be adjusted based on the severity of the condition and the patient's response to treatment.
- For adults, the typical dose is 20 mg twice daily, but it can be increased to 40 mg twice daily for more severe cases.
- For children, the dosing varies by weight and age, with those 1-11 years typically receiving 0.5 mg/kg/dose twice daily (maximum 40 mg/day). It's essential to note that famotidine is an H2 antihistamine, which works by blocking histamine receptors in the stomach, but also has some effect on skin histamine receptors, complementing H1 antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine 1. The use of famotidine as an adjunct therapy alongside H1 antihistamines is a common practice, as H1 antihistamines remain the first-line treatment for urticaria 1. In terms of treatment approach, the latest guidelines recommend an "as much as needed and as little as possible" approach, by stepping up and stepping down the treatment of urticaria based on levels of disease control assessed with the Urticaria Control Test (UCT) 1.
From the Research
Urticaria Treatment with Femotadine
- The provided studies do not mention the use of femotadine for urticaria treatment.
- However, the studies discuss the use of other antihistamines such as fexofenadine, loratadine, and cetirizine for urticaria treatment 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Fexofenadine is mentioned as a treatment option for urticaria, with a dosage of 60 mg twice daily or 120 mg once daily 5.
- The efficacy and safety of up-dosing antihistamines, including fexofenadine, are discussed in the context of chronic spontaneous urticaria 6.
- It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of urticaria, as the dosage and type of antihistamine may vary depending on the individual case.
Antihistamine Dosage
- The studies suggest that second-generation antihistamines, such as fexofenadine, can be effective in treating urticaria 3, 4, 5.
- The dosage of fexofenadine for urticaria treatment is mentioned as 60 mg twice daily or 120 mg once daily 5.
- Up-dosing antihistamines to 4-fold the licensed dose is recommended if control is not achieved, but this is based mainly on expert opinion 6.
Treatment Guidelines
- The studies mention that non-sedating, second-generation H1-antihistamines are the preferred choice of treatment for urticaria across several guidelines worldwide 2, 4.
- The treatment of urticaria should be individualized, and the dosage and type of antihistamine may vary depending on the individual case 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.