title: Blocking of histamine-induced conjunctivitis by the oral antihistamine, astemizole.
abstract: When histamine is applied topically to the eye it produces stinging and inflammation of the caruncle and bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva. This model has been employed in the present study to assess the ability of an oral antihistamine, astemizole, to attenuate the irritation and inflammatory signs. Astemizole 30 mg, taken orally once daily for 1 week, considerably lessened the stinging and significantly lowered the signs of inflammation caused by topically applied histamines.
authors.affiliation: Chest Department, United Medical School, St Thomas' Campus, London.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Stokes
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feinberg
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D016589:Astemizole; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006632:Histamine; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D016589:Astemizole; D006632:Histamine