There is no difference. CSU may also be called chronic hives with no known external triggers. It is a condition characterized by hives, swelling, or both for more than 6 weeks.

CSU is thought to be linked to an overactive immune system. The signal causes the mast cells to release a large amount of histamine, which may result in hives, itch, and/or swelling.

CSU can come with daily symptoms, almost daily symptoms, or intermittent recurrence. In some patients, hives can go away for a long time and then come back again, even months or years later.

SD is a type of chronic hives caused by scratching or rubbing on the skin. It affects approximately 7 in 10 people living with trigger-related chronic hives.

There is no difference. SD may also be called chronic hives from scratching or rubbing on the skin, is a form of chronic inducible urticaria (chronic hives with known external triggers), and is different from CSU. With SD, scratching or rubbing may cause raised, red, itchy hives to appear within minutes of friction on the skin.

For some people, everyday things like clothing or even rubbing from a seat belt can trigger hives or itching. Although symptoms may come and go, it’s a long-term condition that can last up to 6.5 years on average.

Your health care provider is your primary source of information. Consider asking your provider about RHAPSIDO, the first and only^† prescription treatment approved for adults with SD when antihistamines alone are not enough.

^†Treatment that targets inside the mast cell, helping to inhibit some histamine release.

Get safety information

RHAPSIDO is the only pill of its kind that targets inside the mast cell, helping to inhibit some histamine release.

How RHAPSIDO works in the body and how it affects your symptoms is unknown.

RHAPSIDO should be taken twice daily, with or without food. RHAPSIDO tablets should be swallowed whole with water and should not be split, crushed, or chewed.

If you and your health care provider decide that RHAPSIDO is right for you, take both daily doses as prescribed.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.

Whether you should continue taking antihistamines after starting RHAPSIDO depends on your individual treatment plan. Once you've been prescribed RHAPSIDO, you and your health care provider should discuss how to manage your treatment plan.

If a dose is missed, it should be skipped, and the next dose should be taken at its regularly scheduled time. You should not take extra doses of RHAPSIDO to make up for a missed dose or doses.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.

RHAPSIDO may cause serious side effects, including: Risk of bleeding. Bleeding may happen while being treated with RHAPSIDO. Your health care provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of bleeding and may stop your treatment if bleeding happens. Your risk of bleeding may increase if you are also taking a blood thinner medicine. Tell your health care provider right away if you get any signs or symptoms of bleeding, such as:

• bruising, or red or purple skin marks 

• pink or brown urine 

• headache, dizziness, confusion, or feeling weak 

• red or black stools that look like tar

Bleeding in the CSU clinical trials:

• 9% of those who took RHAPSIDO and 2% who took placebo experienced bleeding

  • In the CSU clinical trials, of the 9%, the most common were tiny red spots beneath the skin (4%)

    • Occurred within the first 3 months of treatment

    • Mostly seen on the arms, legs, neck, or stomach

    • 1 patient (0.2%) in the RHAPSIDO group and no patients in the placebo group stopped treatment

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The most common side effects with RHAPSIDO in clinical trials for CSU were nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis), bleeding, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. 

The safety profile of RHAPSIDO in the SD trial was consistent with the safety profile in the CSU trials. 

These are not all the possible side effects of RHAPSIDO.

Get safety information

If you’re unsure if your insurance plan covers RHAPSIDO, the Novartis Patient Support team is here to help you navigate coverage and payment options.

Learn more about how the Novartis Patient Support Team can help you.

Taking photos, keeping a list of symptoms and the dates they occurred, or using a symptom tracker are all ways to help your health care provider understand the bigger picture and ongoing symptoms you're experiencing.

Download the My Hives and Itch Tracker to help prepare for your next appointment.

Explore more guidance on talking to your health care provider.