NCT01960283

Methotrexate in the Treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Methotrexate in Addition to Anti-H1 Versus Placebo and Anti-H1 in the Treatment of Severe Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 83 (actual)
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Tours · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Chronic urticaria is defined by urticarial lesions persisting at 6 weeks. The cause is not found in about 75% of cases (chronic idiopathic urticaria). The gold standard treatment consists of anti-H1 molecules. In severe cases, refractory to anti-H1, few therapeutic alternatives exist. Methotrexate, which is not expensive and often prescribed by dermatologists, has been efficiently tried in an open study on severe chronic idiopathic urticaria, and also in few case reports.

Detailed description

Chronic urticaria, defined by its persistence beyond 6 weeks, is a common condition (0.1% to 3% of the general population), occurring at any age. The etiology is not found in nearly 75% of cases (chronic idiopathic urticaria). Chronic idiopathic urticaria may resolve over several months or years. The quality of life of patients is usually strongly spoiled. The gold standard treatment consist of anti-H1 molecules. In severe cases, which are refractory to anti-H1, few therapeutic alternatives exist. Two studies have shown a benefit when adding to anti-H1, montelukast, anti-leukotriene, or cyclosporine. Methotrexate, which is another immunosuppressive drug, cheap and commonly prescribed by dermatologists, has been efficient in severe chronic urticaria, in an open study and in few case reports. Methotrexate, an anti-metabolite drug which inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, is indicated in hematologic malignancies and in autoimmune diseases. It may be given by oral or parenteral administration, once a week, and requires regular monitoring of renal and hepatic function, and blood count.

Conditions

• Chronic Urticaria

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Methotrexate (Novatrex ®) + anti-H1	Methotrexate (Novatrex ®) tablets 2.5 mg methotrexate 0.2 mg/kg/week as a single dose, orally for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, if the treatment is still not efficient, the dose will be increased to 0.25 mg/kg/week and continued until W18. For anti-H1 treatment, the same molecules with the same dosage than before the recruitment will be continued, and methotrexate will be added in this group.
DRUG	Placebo + anti-H1	Placebo: 0.2 mg / kg / week as a single dose, orally for 8 weeks. After eight weeks, if the patient is still very embarrassed, the dose is increased to 0.25 mg / kg / week in a weekly dose. For anti-H1 treatment, the same molecules with the same dosage than before the recruitment will be continued, and the placebo of methotrexate will be added in this group.

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-11-01
• Primary completion: 2016-03-01
• Completion: 2016-05-01
• First posted: 2013-10-10
• Last updated: 2017-09-20

Locations

11 sites across 1 country: France