A NTIHISTAMINES By: Jean Collado

B EFORE L EARNING A BOUT A NTIHISTAMINES We must learn about histamine. Histamine is an organic nitrogen compound involved with our immune system It was discovered in 1910 by Henry Dale and Patrick Laidlaw. Histamine is released when someone has a genetically induced allergic reaction. And causes inflammatory responses Histamine's second type of allergic response is one of the major causes for asthma.

H ISTAMINE I N THE B ODY When someone has a reaction, Allergens(a substance that triggers an allergic reaction), release large amounts of histamines The histamines will then attach to the receptors of near by cells Which causes inflammatory responses such as runny noses and eyes, itchy eyes, nausea, swelling, sleep disorders and stomach ulcers.

A NTIHISTAMINES An antihistamine is a drug that combats the allergy-producing histamines by attaching itself to the cell receptor near by. Which would prevent histamines from attaching itself to the cell receptors so all those inflammatory responses would not occur. Antihistamine drugs come in several forms including liquid sprays, tablets, capsules, creams and liquids used orally, topically or as eye drops. Here is a better look on how it works in your body

H ISTORY O F A NTIHISTAMINES A Swiss-Italian pharmacologist who lived from named Daniel Bovant led a group that created the first antihistamines in Daniel Bovant, assisted by Anne-Marie Staub, studied the chemical process behind the antihistamine, And would run tests on pigs He won the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work developing antihistamines.

F IRST USE OF ANTIHISTAMINES Antihistamines were first used successfully to treat people in Bernard Halpern introduced one of the first products, called antergan. It was revised in 1944, and then introduced in the United States in 1946 as diphenhydramine and tripellinamine. Antihistamines became all the rage by 1950 as the first classes of antihistamines were introduced, including ethylenediamine, ethanolamines, alkylamines, piperazine, tricyclics.

A NTIHISTAMINE P RODUCTS While capsules are the slowest method of gaining antihistamine relief they can be long lasting in their effects Some may have the ability to work all day. Topical application of creams or ointments can bring almost immediate relief from some symptoms, but reapplication may be necessary after just a few hours. Nasal sprays that contain an antihistamine can also bring almost immediate relief from a runny nose Antihistamine-containing eye drops can also be quick acting in their ability to quell itchy, watery eyes.

C OMMON A NTIHISTAMINE S IDE E FFECTS Headaches Hypertension Difficulty Concentrating Upset Stomach Slowing down of normal bodily functions Dry Mouth Drowsiness and fatigue

T YPES OF A LLERGIES T REATED BY A NTIHISTAMINE Food Allergies Pollen Allergies Animal Allergies Plant Allergies Drug Allergies Seasonal Allergies Asthma Mold and Mildew Allergies

A NTIHISTAMINE IN THE MEDIA Common brand names are familiar to most who watch television, since they are always being advertised Popular brands are Claritin Zyrtec Visine Allegra Benadryl Allergy Tylenol Allergy

OTHER USES FOR ANTIHISTAMINE include treatment for stomach ulcers and acid reflux disease. An antihistamine is useful in this area because of it has the ability to decrease the production of gastric acid in our stomach. An antihistamine can also be effective in easing the local swelling such as that which occurs from a bee sting or insect bite.

C LOSING F ACTS Antihistamines are found in prescription and non-prescription form We do not build tolerance to Antihistemines People can overdose on antihistamines Majority of the time it’s not fatal but you may need medical attention Can become fatal if you overdoes and the medicine reacts badly with another drug being taken.