Antihistamines

1. Antihistamines By: Jean Collado

2. Before Learning About Antihistamines • 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.

3. Histamine In the Body • 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.

4. Antihistamines • 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 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywdk3BTjK2s

5. History Of Antihistamines • A Swiss-Italian pharmacologist who lived from 1907-1992 named Daniel Bovantled a group that created the first antihistamines in 1937. • 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.

6. First use of antihistamines • Antihistamines were first used successfully to treat people in 1942. • 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.

7. Antihistamine Products • 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.

8. Common Antihistamine Side Effects • Headaches • Hypertension • Difficulty Concentrating • Upset Stomach • Slowing down of normal bodily functions • Dry Mouth • Drowsiness and fatigue

9. Types of Allergies Treated by Antihistamine • Food Allergies • Pollen Allergies • Animal Allergies • Plant Allergies • Drug Allergies • Seasonal Allergies • Asthma • Mold and Mildew Allergies

10. Antihistamine 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 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvaTwdLSgs

11. 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.

12. Closing Facts • 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.