US Prescription trends of antihistamines for atopic dermatitis, 2011‐2016

Abstract Antihistamine use for primary treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is not recommended, but current guidelines state that sedating antihistamines are favored over non‐sedating antihistamines for relief of burdensome pruritus. We analyzed the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data to compare use of antihistamines between dermatologists and non‐dermatologists. Overall, dermatologists are more likely to prescribe sedating than non‐sedating antihistamines when compared to non‐dermatologists ( P < .001, δ abs = 0.45). Patients under 21 years old ( P = .03, δ abs = 0.10) and Black patients ( P < .001, δ abs = 0.19) were also more likely to receive sedating antihistamines than non‐sedating antihistamines. These findings highlight the differential prescribing practices for atopic dermatitis among physicians.