Open AccessIntravenous Cetirizine vs Intravenous Diphenhydramine for the Prevention of Hypersensitivity Infusion Reactions: Results of an Exploratory Phase 2 Study
Author(s) -
Jarrod P. Holmes,
Julio Antonio Peguero,
R. Campbell Garland,
Janine North,
Stacia Young,
Lonnie D. Brent,
Nancy JosephRidge
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of infusion nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.35
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1539-0667
pISSN - 1533-1458
DOI - 10.1097/nan.0000000000000444
Subject(s) - diphenhydramine , cetirizine , medicine , antihistamine , anesthesia , adverse effect , sedation , pharmacology , histamine
Pretreatment with antihistamines for the prevention of hypersensitivity infusion reactions is recommended for certain biologics and chemotherapies. Cetirizine is the first injectable second-generation antihistamine recently approved for acute urticaria. A randomized, exploratory phase 2 study evaluated intravenous (IV) cetirizine 10 mg versus IV diphenhydramine 50 mg as pretreatment in patients receiving an anti-CD20 agent or paclitaxel. In the overall population (N = 34) and an elderly subgroup (n = 21), IV cetirizine was as effective as IV diphenhydramine in preventing infusion reactions (primary outcome) and associated with less sedation at all time points, a shorter infusion center stay, and fewer treatment-related adverse events.