Dapsona como alternativa no tratamento de urticária cr？nica n？o responsiva a anti-histamínicos

background: chronic urticaria is a dermatosis that negatively interferes in quality of life of affected individuals. the classic treatment with antihistamines is many times ineffective. objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using dapsone in the treatment of chronic urticaria non-responsive to antihistamines. methods: a retrospective study was carried out by reviewing the medical charts of patients seen at an outpatient？s clinic specialized in urticaria, between november 1996 and march 2007. results: twenty patients with difficult to control chronic urticaria and who were treated with 100 mg/day of dapsone were evaluated. high doses of antihistamines were maintained and associated with dapsone. antihistamines alone did not control symptoms. fourteen patients (70%) presented good results, observed in the reduction or disappearance of lesions as well as in reduced pruritus; three patients (15%) did not get any success with the medication; and three (15%) had the treatment interrupted due to side effects. conclusion: in this study it can be concluded that dapsone is a safe and efficient option for patients presenting severe chronic urticaria non-responsive to antihistamines.