Journal Article Summary
The article investigates the effectiveness of cetirizine compared to diphenhydramine as a pre-medication to reduce infusion-related reactions (IRRs) in patients receiving ocrelizumab, a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). IRRs can be a significant concern for patients, potentially leading to treatment discontinuation. The study aims to determine if cetirizine, which is known to cause less drowsiness than diphenhydramine, can effectively limit the occurrence and severity of these reactions while improving patient tolerability.
In this study, 20 participants were randomly assigned to receive either cetirizine or diphenhydramine before their ocrelizumab infusions. The results showed that the rate of IRRs was similar between both groups, with no severe reactions reported. Patients taking cetirizine reported less fatigue compared to those taking diphenhydramine, and there was a trend toward increased satisfaction with treatment in the cetirizine group over time. However, the study did not achieve its target enrollment, which limited the ability to draw definitive conclusions about the non-inferiority of cetirizine.
The study has several limitations, including a small sample size and the lack of blinding, which could introduce bias. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic affected recruitment and the ability to capture patient-reported outcomes. Patients should discuss these findings with their healthcare providers, especially regarding the choice of pre-medication for ocrelizumab infusions, as individual responses may vary and safety considerations are paramount.
Medication Safety Note
This journal article summary is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Article Cited
- Smoot Kyle, Marginean Horia, Gervasi-Follmar Tiffany, Chen Chiayi. Comparing the Risk of Infusion-Related Reactions and Tolerability in Patients Given Cetirizine or Diphenhydramine Prior to Ocrelizumab Infusion (PRECEPT). Medicina 2024. DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040659. PMID: 38674305. PMCID: PMC11051876.
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