Bilastine Updosing in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female aged 18 years and older
• History of active chronic spontaneous urticaria with or without associated angioedema for at least three days per week over the last 6 weeks prior to visit 1. - Urticaria symptoms must comprise wheals and itch
• History of failed treatment with an antihistamine other than bilastine in standard (licensed) dose.
• UAS7 of ≥14 during baseline
• Informed consent signed and dated
• Able to read, understand and willing to sign the informed consent form and abide with study procedures
• Willing, committed and able to return for all clinic visits and complete all study-related procedures
• In females of childbearing potential: negative pregnancy test; females willing to use highly effective contraception (Pearl-Index < 1) a woman will be considered not of childbearing potential if she is post-menopausal for > 2 years or surgically sterile (bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy)
• No participation in other clinical trials 4 weeks before and after participation in this study

Exclusion criteria

• Chronic spontaneous urticaria patients with a known resistance to bilastine
• Isolated presence or domination of inducible forms of urticaria or cholinergic urticaria (no chronic spontaneous urticaria)
• History of adverse reactions to bilastine or known hypersensitivity to bilastine or its ingredients
• Intake of oral corticosteroids or intravenously applied corticosteroids within 28 days prior to screening visit
• Use of depot corticosteroids within 3 months prior to screening visit (inhaled corticosteroids are allowed)
• Use of systemic immunosupressants/immunomodulators such as ciclosporin, dapsone, metotrexate, and comparable drugs within 28 days prior to screening visit.
• Use of UV-therapy within 28 days prior to visit 1
• Significant medical condition, in the opinion of the Investigator, rendering the patient immunocompromised or not suitable for a clinical trial
• Significant concomitant illness, in the opinion of the Investigator, that would adversely affect the subject's participation or evaluation in this study
• ECG alterations of repolarisation (QTc prolongations >450ms or increase of QTc >60ms as compared to the baseline assessment)
• Blood pressure >180/100 mmHg and/or heart rate >100/min
• Evidence of significant hepatic or renal disease (GOT and/or GPT >2 times above the upper reference value, serum creatinine 1.5 times above the upper reference value)
• Subjects for whom there is concern, in the opinion of the Investigator, about compliance with the protocol procedures
• The presence of a permanent gastrointestinal condition which may influence the oral therapy (chronic diarrhoea diseases, congenital malformations or surgical mutilations of gastrointestinal tract)
• Presence of active cancer which requires chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Presence of alcohol abuse or drug addiction
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Subjects who are inmates of psychiatric wards, prisons, or other state institutions. Existing or planned placement in an institution after ruling according to § 40 passage 1, number 4 AMG (Arzneimittelgesetz).