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Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology pp 538–543Cite as

Oral Antihistamines

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Synonyms

H1 blocker; Histamine antagonist

Definition

Allergic rhinitis is a pervasive disease in the USA, in which histamine plays a key role in the pathophysiology (Benninger et al. 2010). Multiple histamine receptors are recognized, and histamine 1 (H1) receptors are the most prominently associated with allergic symptoms. Blocking H1 receptors has demonstrated a decrease in the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (rhinorrhea, sneezing, and itching). Antihistamines are a mainstay in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and their use has been associated with improved quality of life (Wallace et al. 2008). Antihistamines have been used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis for over 60 years.

Mechanism of Action

Histamine (an autocoid amine synthesized from histidine) is primarily stored in mast cells. Mast cells undergo degranulation when its high-affinity receptors (FcεRI) are bound and cross-linked by IgE-bound antigens. Once histamine is released, it will initiate an allergic...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Florida, College of Pharmacy, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 30, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Mark LaBossiere

  2. Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, University of South Florida, College of Pharmacy, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 30, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Jose Barboza

Authors
  1. Mark LaBossiere
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  2. Jose Barboza
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark LaBossiere .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Ian R. Mackay

  2. Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Noel R. Rose

  3. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Dennis K. Ledford

  4. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Richard F. Lockey

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LaBossiere, M., Barboza, J. (2014). Oral Antihistamines. In: Mackay, I.R., Rose, N.R., Ledford, D.K., Lockey, R.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_238

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_238

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9193-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9194-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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