A study of the anticholinergic activity of terfenadine in normal volunteers.
The anticholinergic effects of single doses of terfenadine, chlorpheniramine and atropine on salivary flow were compared with those of placebo in a double-blind crossover study in 21 normal adults. Salivary flow was measured immediately before administering study medications and 3 h after dosing, for the evaluation of anticholinergic activity. Mean salivary flow decreased significantly after administration of chlorpheniramine and atropine (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.001, respectively), and was unchanged by terfenadine and placebo, indicating that terfenadine does not possess detectable anticholinergic activity. Mild drowsiness was reported by 57% and 29% of subjects who received chlorpheniramine and terfenadine, respectively.
Vargas
R
R
Clinical Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122.
McMahon
F G
FG
Ryan
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D001285:Atropine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002744:Chlorpheniramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D012016:Reference Values; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016593:Terfenadine
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D002744:Chlorpheniramine; D016593:Terfenadine; D001285:Atropine