Anti-inflammatory activity of H1-receptor antagonists: review of recent experimental research.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the anti-inflammatory effects of fexofenadine with other H(1)-receptor antagonists in vitro.


METHODS
Published literature.


METHODS
Recent experimental studies on anti-inflammatory effects of H(1)-receptor antagonists. Databases searched: Medline, Medscape.


METHODS
1990-2003. Search terms: second-, third-generation antihistamines; sedating, nonsedating antihistamines; in vitro anti-inflammatory activity; cetirizine; ebastine; loratadine; fexofenadine; desloratadine.


RESULTS
Second- and third-generation H(1)-receptor antagonists may demonstrate significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity at concentrations considered to be clinically relevant. In some instances, higher (supraclinical) concentrations are required to achieve comparable effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Experimental research suggests that second- and third-generation H(1)-receptor antagonists may achieve anti-inflammatory effects in a clinical context. Further studies are required to support this conclusion.
Gelfand
Erwin W
EW
Division of Cell Biology, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA. gelfande@njc.org
Appajosyula
Sireesh
S
Meeves
Suzanne
S
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002090:Butyrophenones / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017336:Loratadine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D016593:Terfenadine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002090:Butyrophenones; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; C058251:carebastine; D017336:Loratadine; D016593:Terfenadine; C093230:fexofenadine; C121345:desloratadine; C058249:ebastine