Nifedipine for the treatment of chronic urticaria: A double-blind cross-over study

A double-blind cross-over study was conducted to compare the responses of 22 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria to treatment with nifedipine 10 mg four times daily and with chlorpheniramine 4mg four times daily. Eighteen patients completed the study. Partial or total control of the pruritus and hives was noted in 39% of the patients receiving nifedipine and in 28% of the patients receiving chlorpheniramine. Nifedipine was not superior to chlorpheniramine in controlling chronic urticaria (0.05 < p < 0.1). Although nifedipine may be helpful in some selected patients, it cannot be regarded as a first-line drug in terms of cost/benefit.