STL Index for: Loratadine

Urticaria and angioedema and some forms of this disorder may be increasing in both prevalence and severity due to changes in medications, environment and other factors. This review focuses on a rational approach to differential diagnosis and therapy of the most common forms of urticaria and angioedema.

Chronic urticaria is a common dermatologic condition that is idiopathic in most cases. Antihistamines are the mainstays of treatment for this condition. The newer, second and third generation antihistamines are the preferred agents because of their improved safety profile and comparable efficacy to the first generation antihistamines.