Chinese herbal formulas as adjuncts to antihistamines in chronic spontaneous urticaria: a network meta-analysis of efficacy, recurrence, and safety.

What was studied

This review looked at hives that keep coming back with no clear cause. Doctors call this chronic spontaneous urticaria. The usual care is a type of allergy drug called an antihistamine. The team pooled 50 trials with 5,814 people. In each trial, people got antihistamines alone or with a Chinese herbal formula. The team used a method that can compare many drug mixes at once.

What they found

Most herbal mixes did better than antihistamines alone at easing symptoms. Danggui Yinzi, Yupingfeng powder and Guizhi decoction kept ranking near the top. Danggui Yinzi with loratadine or ebastine showed the largest drop in relapse risk. This was clearer when people were treated for more than 12 weeks. Some mixes were linked to fewer side effects. No mix clearly beat cetirizine alone in lowering IgE or IL-4 levels.

What it means for patients

The authors say these herbal formulas may help when added to antihistamines. They may improve relief and lower the chance of hives coming back. The authors saw no rise in side effects with them.

Why it is not certain yet

The proof on symptom relief was mostly of moderate strength. The proof on safety was rated fairly low. The authors say better trials that compare the formulas head to head are needed. A review can only be as good as the studies in it.

Source

Chinese herbal formulas as adjuncts to antihistamines in chronic spontaneous urticaria: a network meta-analysis of efficacy, recurrence, and safety.

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