
Opinion|Podcasts|November 15, 2024
Role of Antihistamines, Steroids and Biologics in Treating CSU
Key Takeaways
- Second-generation H1 antihistamines may have limited efficacy and potential side effects at higher doses, necessitating careful consideration in therapy management.
- Increased antihistamine dosages are recommended for non-responders, but this approach has limitations, including potential side effects and diminishing returns.
Panelists discuss the challenges and limitations of using second-generation H1 antihistamines as first-line therapy for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), including recommended increased dosages for nonresponding patients and the complexities of cycling through antihistamines. They also explore the appropriate circumstances for considering combination therapies, the role of steroids in management, necessary precautions when using systemic steroids, and the factors influencing the decision to escalate to advanced therapies, while identifying existing treatment gaps for antihistamine cycling and biologics.
Advertisement
Episodes in this series

Video content above is prompted by the following:
- What challenges and limitations are associated with second-generation H1 antihistamines as first-line therapy?
- Can you describe the increased second-generation antihistamine dosages recommended for patients who do not respond to standard doses?
- Please describe the limitations and challenges associated with cycling through antihistamines.
- When are combination therapies appropriate for consideration? How and when do you decide to make a change in therapy?
- What role do steroids play in the management of CSU?
- What cautions should practitioners be aware of regarding use of systemic steroids for CSU?
- When is the appropriate time to escalate to advanced therapies, and what are the variables that you consider in that decision?
- What are the treatment gaps that exist for antihistamine cycling and biologics?
Advertisement
Related to this article

Katherine Tuttle, MD, joins Brendon Neuen, MBBS, PhD, and Shikha Wadhwani, MD, MS, to unpack new FIND-CKD finerenone analyses from ASN 2026.

Jicheng Lv, MD, joins Brendon Neuen, MBBS, PhD, and Shikha Wadhwani, MD, MS, to discuss 2-year TELIGAN data for telitacicept in IgAN.

A PROTECT biomarker analysis shows sparsentan reduced urinary sCD163, BAFF, C5b-9, and IL-6 vs irbesartan through 110 weeks in IgA nephropathy.

Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, review early MiniMed Vivera data on optional meal announcements and twiist's new type 2 diabetes clearance.

Real-world data in 1477 patients on dialysis show tenapanor reduced serum phosphate at 6 months with or without background phosphate binders.

Approval rests on the phase 3 AFFIRM trial, in which 56% of patients reached clinical remission at week 12 vs 30% with placebo.

Jean Elwing, MD, discusses what drove ralinepag's reduction in PAH clinical worsening in ADVANCE Outcomes and where the it could fit if approved.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending on HCPLive
1
Ralinepag's Benefit Spans Broad PAH Population, With Jean Elwing, MD
2
Sibeprenlimab Stabilizes eGFR Over 24 Months in IgA Nephropathy: VISIONARY
3
Retatrutide Lowers Albuminuria, Glomerular Pressure in Obesity and CKD
4
Ralinepag Cuts PAH Worsening in Low-Risk Patients, With Jean Elwing, MD
5
