H1 antihistamine

Antihistamine redirects here. For other antihistamines, see histamine antagonists

An H₁-antihistamine is a histamine antagonist that serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the H₁ receptor. Only agents where the main therapeutic effect is mediated by negative modulation of histamine receptors are termed antihistamines - other agents may have antihistaminergic action but are not true antihistamines.

In common use, the term "antihistamine" refers only to H₁-receptor antagonists, also known as H₁-antihistamines. It has been discovered that these H₁-antihistamines are actually inverse agonists at the histamine H₁-receptor, rather than antagonists per se. ^[1]

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Pharmacology

In allergic reactions, an allergen (a type of antigen) interacts with and cross-links surface IgE antibodies on mast cells and basophils. Once the mast cell-antibody-antigen complex is formed, a complex series of events occurs that eventually leads to cell degranulation and the release of histamine (and other chemical mediators) from the mast cell or basophil. Once released, histamine can react with local or widespread tissues through histamine receptors.

Histamine, acting on H₁-receptors, produces pruritus, vasodilatation, hypotension, flushing, headache, tachycardia, bronchoconstriction, increase in vascular permeability, potentiation of pain, and more. ^[2]

While H₁-antihistamines help against these effects, they work only if taken before contact with the allergen. In severe allergies, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema, these effects may be so severe as to be life-threatening. Additional administration of epinephrine, often in the form of an autoinjector (Epi-pen), is required by people with such hypersensitivities.

Clinical use of H₁-antihistamines

Indications

H₁-antihistamines are clinically used in the treatment of histamine-mediated allergic conditions. Specifically, these indications may include: ^[3]

• Allergic rhinitis
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Allergic dermatological conditions (contact dermatitis)
• Urticaria
• Angioedema
• Diarrhea
• Pruritus (atopic dermatitis, insect bites)
• Anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions - adjunct only
• Nausea and vomiting (first-generation H₁-antihistamines)
• Sedation (first-generation H₁-antihistamines)

H₁-antihistamines can be administered topically (through the skin, nose, or eyes) or systemically, based on the nature of the allergic condition.

The authors of the American College of Chest Physicians Updates on Cough Guidelines (2006) recommend that, for cough associated with the common cold, first-generation antihistamine-decongestants are more effective than newer, non-sedating antihistamines. First-generation antihistamines include diphenhydramine (Benadryl); carbinoxamine (Clistin); clemastine (Tavist); chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) and brompheniramine (Dimetane). However, it is important to note that a 1955 study of "antihistaminic drugs for colds," carried out by the U.S. Army Medical Corps, reported that "there was no significant difference in the proportion of cures reported by patients receiving oral antihistaminic drugs and those receiving oral placebos. Furthermore, essentially the same proportion of patients reported no benefit from either type of treatment."^[4]

Adverse drug reactions

Adverse drug reactions are most commonly associated with the first-generation H₁-antihistamines. This is due to their relative lack of selectivity for the H₁-receptor.

The most common adverse effect is sedation; this "side-effect" is utilized in many OTC sleeping-aid preparations. Other common adverse effects in first-generation H₁-antihistamines include dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, euphoria, uncoordination, anxiety, insomnia, tremor, nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, and dry cough. Infrequent adverse effects include urinary retention, palpitations, hypotension, headache, hallucination, and psychosis. ^[3]

The newer second-generation H₁-antihistamines are far more selective for peripheral histamine H₁-receptors and have a far improved tolerability profile compared to the first-generation agents. The most common adverse effects noted for second-generation agents include drowsiness, fatigue, headache, nausea and dry mouth. ^[3]

First-generation (non-selective, classical)

These are the oldest H₁-antihistaminergic drugs and are relatively inexpensive and widely available. They are effective in the relief of allergic symptoms, but are typically moderately to highly-potent muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-antagonists (anticholinergic) agents as well. These agents also commonly have action at α-adrenergic receptors and/or 5-HT receptors. This lack of receptor-selectivity is the basis of the poor tolerability-profile of some of these agents, especially compared with the second-generation H₁-antihistamines. Patient response and occurrence of adverse drug reactions vary greatly between classes and between agents within classes.

Classes

The first H₁-antihistamine discovered was piperoxan, by Jeff Forneau and Daniel Bovet (1933) in their efforts to develop a guinea pig animal-model for anaphylaxis at Ryerson University.^[5] Bovet went on to win the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his contribution. Following their discovery, the first-generation H₁-antihistamines were developed in the following decades. They can be classified on the basis of chemical structure, and agents within these groups have similar properties.

Common structural features

• Two aromatic rings, connected to a central carbon, nitrogen or CO
• Spacer between the central X and the amine, usually 2-3 carbons in length, linear, ring, branched, saturated or unsaturated
• Amine is substituted with small alkyl groups, e.g., CH3

X = N, R1 = R2 = small alkyl groups
X = C
X = CO

• Chirality at X can increase both the potency and selectivity for H1-receptors
• For maximum potency, the two aromatic rings should be orientated in different planes
  • for example, tricyclic ring system is slightly puckered and the two aromatic rings lie in different geometrical planes, giving the drug a very high potency.

Second-generation and third-generation (selective, non-sedating)

Second generation H₁-antihistamines are newer drugs that are much more selective for peripheral H₁ receptors in preference to the central nervous system histaminergic and cholinergic receptors. This selectivity significantly reduces the occurrence of adverse drug reactions compared with first-generation agents, while still providing effective relief of allergic conditions.

Third-generation H₁-antihistamines are the active enantiomer (levocetirizine) or metabolite (desloratadine & fexofenadine) derivatives of second-generation drugs intended to have increased efficacy with fewer adverse drug reactions. Indeed, fexofenadine is associated with a decreased risk of cardiac arrhythmia compared to terfenadine. However, there is little evidence for any advantage of levocetirizine or desloratadine, compared to cetirizine or loratadine, respectively.

Systemic, second-generation

• Acrivastine
• Astemizole
• Cetirizine
• Loratadine
• Mizolastine
• Terfenadine (withdrawn from most markets due to risk of cardiac arrhythmias and replaced with fexofenadine)

Topical, second-generation

• Azelastine
• Levocabastine
• Olopatadine

Systemic, third-generation

• Levocetirizine
• Desloratadine
• Fexofenadine

Common structural features

Structure of these drugs varies from case to case. There are no common structural features.

References