title: Antihistamines and their role as antipruritics.
abstract: Antihistamines that bind to the histamine 1 receptor (H1) serve as important therapeutic agents to counter the effects of histamine in the skin. Two generations of antihistamines exist; however, second-generation agents are more advantageous because they cause less sedation, have a longer half life and are more selective for the H1 receptor. While H1 antihistamines have proven to be effective at reversing the pruritus and cutaneous lesions of chronic urticaria, their ability to treat pruritus associated with other cutaneous and systemic diseases is unproven.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Donoghue
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Tharp
mesh_terms: D000982:Antipruritics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists