Therapie der chronischen idiopathischen urtikaria mit dem selektiven cyclooxygenase-2-inhibitor rofecoxib in kombination mit einem H1-antihistaminikum

Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria is a common disease significantly impairing the patients' quality of life. Control of the symptoms is sometimes difficult to achieve, despite the combined use of different drugs. Case report: We investigated the clinical efficacy of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor in the treatment of urticaria. A patient suffering from chronic idiopathic urticaria that could not be controlled using a combination of H1- and H2-antihistamines along with steroids was treated with an H1-antihistamine and 12.5 mg of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor rofecoxib twice daily. The combination of an H1-antihistamine along with rofecoxib resulted in the complete abrogation of symptoms. Upon discontinuation of rofecoxib, the patient experienced a severe relapse, followed by clinical improvement once rofecoxib had been taken again. Conclusion: The combination of an H1-antihistamine and a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor might represent an advantageous treatment regimen for chronic idiopathic urticaria.