H1 antagonist
H1 antagonists, also called H1 blockers, are a class of
In common use, the term "antihistamine" refers only to H1-antihistamines. Virtually all H1-antihistamines function as inverse agonists at the histamine H1-receptor, as opposed to neutral antagonists, as was previously believed.[1][2][3]
Medical uses
H1-antihistamines are clinically used in the treatment of histamine-mediated allergic conditions. These indications may include:[4]
- Allergic rhinitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Allergic dermatological conditions (contact dermatitis)
- Rhinorrhea (runny nose)
- Urticaria
- Angioedema
- Diarrhea
- Pruritus (atopic dermatitis, insect bites)
- Anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions—adjunct only
- Nausea and vomiting
- 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
Side effects
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 and their ability to cross the blood–brain barrier.
The most common adverse effect is sedation; this "side-effect" is utilized in many
The newer, second-generation H1-antihistamines are far more selective for peripheral histamine H1-receptors and have a better 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.[4]
Continuous and/or cumulative use of anticholinergic medications, including first-generation antihistamines, is associated with higher risk for cognitive decline and dementia in older people.[8][9]
Pharmacology
In type I hypersensitivity allergic reactions, an allergen (a type of antigen) interacts with and cross-links surface IgE antibodies on mast cells and basophils. Once the allergen cross-links Immunoglobulin E, tyrosine kinases rapidly signal into the cell, leading to cell degranulation and the release of histamine (and other chemical mediators) from the mast cell or basophil. Once released, the histamine can react with local or widespread tissues through histamine receptors.[citation needed]
Histamine, acting on H1-receptors, produces pruritus, vasodilation, hypotension, flushing, headache, bradycardia, bronchoconstriction, increase in vascular permeability and potentiation of pain.[2]
While H1-antihistamines help against these effects, they work only if taken before contact with the allergen. In severe allergies, such as
Antihistamine | Dosea | Time to peak | Half-lifeb | Metabolism | Anticholinergic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diphenhydramine | 50 mg | 2–3 hours | 2–9 hours | CYP2D6, others | Yes |
Doxylamine | 25 mg | 2–3 hours | 10–12 hours | CYP2D6, others | Yes |
Hydroxyzine | 25–100 mg | 2 hours | 20 hours | ADH, CYP3A4, others | No |
Doxepin | 3–6 mg | 2–3 hours | 17 hoursc | CYP2D6, others | No (at low doses) |
Mirtazapine | 7.5–15 mg | 2 hours | 20–40 hours | CYP2D6, others | No |
Quetiapinee | 25–200 mg | 1.5 hours | 7 hoursd | CYP3A4 | No (at low doses) |
Footnotes: a = For sleep/sedation. b = In adults. c Active metabolite nordoxepin half-life is 31 hours. d Active metabolite norquetiapine half-life is 9–12 hours. e Not recommended per literature reviews. Sources: See individual articles for references. See also selected reviews.[10][11][12] |
First-generation (unselective)
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
Classes
The first H1-antihistamine discovered was piperoxan, by Ernest Fourneau and Daniel Bovet (1933) in their efforts to develop a guinea pig animal model for anaphylaxis at the Pasteur Institute in Paris.[13] 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.
Class | Description | Examples |
---|---|---|
Ethylenediamines |
Ethylenediamines were the first group of clinically effective H1-antihistamines developed. |
|
Ethanolamines |
Diphenhydramine was the prototypical agent in this group. Significant anticholinergic adverse effects, as well as sedation, are observed in this group but the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse effects is relatively low.[4][14] | |
Alkylamines | The isomerism is a significant factor in the activity of the agents in this group. E-triprolidine, for example, is 1000-fold more potent than Z-triprolidine. This difference relates to the positioning and fit of the molecules in the histamine H1-receptor binding site.[14] Alkylamines are considered to have relatively fewer sedative and gastrointestinal adverse effects, but relatively greater incidence of paradoxical central nervous system (CNS) stimulation.[4] |
|
Piperazines |
These compounds are structurally related to the ethylenediamines and the ethanolamines, and produce significant anticholinergic adverse effects with the exception of hydroxyzine, which has low to no affinity for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and therefore produces negligible anticholinergic side-effects.[15] Compounds from this group are often used for motion sickness, vertigo, nausea, and vomiting. The second-generation H1-antihistamine cetirizine also belongs to this chemical group.[14] | |
Tricyclics and Tetracyclics |
These compounds differ from the phenothiazine antipsychotics in the ring-substitution and chain characteristics.[14] They are also structurally related to the tricyclic antidepressants (and tetracyclics), explaining the H1-antihistaminergic adverse effects of those three drug classes and also the poor tolerability profile of tricyclic H1-antihistamines. The second-generation H1-antihistamine loratadine was derived from compounds in this group. |
|
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
Second-generation H1-antihistamines are newer drugs that are much more selective for peripheral H1 receptors as opposed to the central nervous system H1 receptors and cholinergic receptors. This selectivity significantly reduces the occurrence of adverse drug reactions, such as sedation, while still providing effective relief of allergic conditions. The reason for their peripheral selectivity is that most of these compounds are zwitterionic at physiological pH (around pH 7.4). As such, they are very polar, meaning that they are less likely to cross the blood–brain barrier and act mainly outside the central nervous system.
Examples of systemic second-generation antihistamines include:
- Acrivastine (Benadryl Allergy Relief (UK), Semprex-D (US))
- Astemizole (Hismanal) – withdrawn
- Bepotastine (Talion, Bepreve)[16]
- Bilastine (Blexten, Fortecal, Lendin)
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec, Benadryl Allergy One a Day Relief (UK))[17]
- Desloratadine (Aerius)[18][19]
- Ebastine (Evastin, Kestine, Ebastel, Aleva, Ebatrol)
- Fexofenadine (Allegra)[20][21]
- Ketotifen (Zaditor) – also mast cell stabilizer;[22] sometimes classified as a first-generation antihistamine, see Ketotifen § Classification
- Levocetirizine (Xyzal)[23][24]
- Loratadine (Claritin)[25]
- Mizolastine (Mizollen)
- Quifenadine (Phencarol, Фенкарол)
- Rupatadine (Rupafin)
- Terfenadine (Seldane (US), Triludan (UK), and Teldane (Australia)) – withdrawn
Examples of topical second-generation antihistamines include:
Regulation
Over-the-counter
H1 receptor antagonists that are approved for
First-generation
Common/marketed:
- Brompheniramine (Dimetapp, Dimetane)
- Chlorpheniramine(Chlor-Trimeton)
- 8-chlorotheophylline
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Doxylamine (Unisom)
Uncommon/discontinued:
- Chlorcyclizine
- Dexbrompheniramine
- Dexchlorpheniramine
- Methapyrilene
- Phenindamine
- Pheniramine
- Phenyltoloxamine
- Pyrilamine
- Thenyldiamine
- Thonzylamine
- Triprolidine
Second-generation
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Fexofenadine (Allegra)
- Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
See also
- H2-receptor antagonist
- H3-receptor antagonist
References
- S2CID 11849647.
- ^ PMID 15548781.
- PMID 22021988.
- ^ ISBN 0-9578521-4-2 [page needed]
- PMID 15415236.
- ^ "8 Substances That May be Killing Your Erection". 26 August 2015.
- ^ "Drugs That Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction".
- PMID 25621434.
- PMID 19636034.
- PMID 23229983.
- PMID 28671376.
- PMID 26609210.
- ISSN 0003-9780.
- ^ OCLC 149596645.
- PMID 2884340.
- ^ "Bepotastine Monograph for Professionals".
- ^ "Cetirizine Monograph for Professionals".
- PMID 16109168.
- ^ "Desloratadine Monograph for Professionals".
- S2CID 23060714.
- ^ "Fexofenadine Monograph for Professionals".
- ^ "Ketotifen Monograph for Professionals".
- S2CID 35041518.
- ^ "Levocetirizine Monograph for Professionals".
- ^ "Loratadine Monograph for Professionals".
- ^ "Azelastine Monograph for Professionals".
- S2CID 234142758.
Intranasal H1 antihistamines such as azelastine are effective for controlling nasal symptoms. They need to be applied twice daily.
- ^ "Olopatadine Monograph for Professionals".
- ^ "OTC Active Ingredients" (PDF). United States Food and Drug Administration. 7 April 2010.
External links
- Antihistaminics,+H1 at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)