Antihistamines and their role as antipruritics

Antihistamines that bind to the histamine 1 receptor (H1) serve as important therapeutic agents to counter the effects of histamine in the skin. Two generations of antihistamines exist; however, second‐generation agents are more advantageous because they cause less sedation, have a longer half life...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dermatologic therapy 2005-07, Vol.18 (4), p.333-340
Main Authors: O'Donoghue, Michael, Tharp, Michael D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
antihistamines
Antipruritics - pharmacokinetics
Antipruritics - pharmacology
atopic dermatitis
Dermatitis, Atopic - drug therapy
Histamine H1 Antagonists - pharmacokinetics
Histamine H1 Antagonists - pharmacology
Humans
Pruritus - drug therapy
urticaria
Urticaria - drug therapy
wheal-and-flare reaction
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Summary:Antihistamines that bind to the histamine 1 receptor (H1) serve as important therapeutic agents to counter the effects of histamine in the skin. Two generations of antihistamines exist; however, second‐generation agents are more advantageous because they cause less sedation, have a longer half life and are more selective for the H1 receptor. While H1 antihistamines have proven to be effective at reversing the pruritus and cutaneous lesions of chronic urticaria, their ability to treat pruritus associated with other cutaneous and systemic diseases is unproven.
ISSN:1396-0296
1529-8019
DOI:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2005.00034.x