Abstract
Whereas antihistamines are generally known for their sedative side effects, this review shows that several studies also found mild stimulating effects on performance for the H1-antagonists terfenadine, ebastine, fexofenadine and desloratadine. These stimulating effects were mostly demonstrated in tasks involving high levels of attention, e.g. divided attention tasks, vigilance tasks and driving tasks. The stimulating effects of these antihistamines were often dependent of the given dose; however the relation was not always linear. The mechanism responsible for the stimulating effects of these four antihistamines is still unclear, though it is hypothesized that it involves other neurotransmitters like dopamine and GABA, or that it acts through the H3 histamine receptor. Further research is needed to clarify the ambiguous role of histamine in processes of arousal. In addition, it would be useful to determine whether terfenadine, ebastine, fexofenadine and desloratadine can return allergic patients performance back to their preclinical level.
Keywords: Antihistamine, attention, desloratadine, dopamine, ebastine, fexofenadine, GABA, H3 receptor, performance, stimulant
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Stimulating Effects of H1-Antagonists
Volume: 12 Issue: 20
Author(s): Eef L. Theunissen, Annemiek Vermeeren, Eric F.P.M. Vuurman and Johannes G. Ramaekers
Affiliation:
Keywords: Antihistamine, attention, desloratadine, dopamine, ebastine, fexofenadine, GABA, H3 receptor, performance, stimulant
Abstract: Whereas antihistamines are generally known for their sedative side effects, this review shows that several studies also found mild stimulating effects on performance for the H1-antagonists terfenadine, ebastine, fexofenadine and desloratadine. These stimulating effects were mostly demonstrated in tasks involving high levels of attention, e.g. divided attention tasks, vigilance tasks and driving tasks. The stimulating effects of these antihistamines were often dependent of the given dose; however the relation was not always linear. The mechanism responsible for the stimulating effects of these four antihistamines is still unclear, though it is hypothesized that it involves other neurotransmitters like dopamine and GABA, or that it acts through the H3 histamine receptor. Further research is needed to clarify the ambiguous role of histamine in processes of arousal. In addition, it would be useful to determine whether terfenadine, ebastine, fexofenadine and desloratadine can return allergic patients performance back to their preclinical level.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Theunissen L. Eef, Vermeeren Annemiek, Vuurman F.P.M. Eric and Ramaekers G. Johannes, Stimulating Effects of H1-Antagonists, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2006; 12 (20) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206777698800
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206777698800 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Scrutinizing different EEG-Based Mechanisms for Motor Control and Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Disabilities
Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Neuritin, A Neurotrophic Factor in Nervous System Physiology
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Retinoids in the Adult Nervous System and their Therapeutic Potential
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Ecto-Nucleotidase Inhibitors: Recent Developments in Drug Discovery
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Towards Cure of CML: Why We Need to Know More About CML Stem Cells?
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy The Role of Therapeutic Drugs on Acquired Mitochondrial Toxicity
Current Drug Metabolism The Anterior-posterior Functional Connectivity Disconnection in the Elderly with Subjective Memory Impairment and Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Alzheimer Research Serotonergic and Cholinergic Strategies as Potential Targets for the Treatment of Schizophrenia
Current Pharmaceutical Design Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7: From Synaptic Function to Therapeutic Implications
Current Neuropharmacology Functional Neuroimaging in Memory and Memory Disturbances
Current Medical Imaging Planar Cell Polarity Signaling in Collective Cell Movements During Morphogenesis and Disease
Current Genomics Visceral Pain: Spinal Afferents, Enteric Mast Cells, Enteric Nervous System and Stress
Current Pharmaceutical Design Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Model for Designing HIV/AIDS Vaccines
Current HIV Research Role of Nicotinic and Muscarinic Receptors on Synaptic Plasticity and Neurological Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Review of Treatment for Cocaine Dependence
Current Drug Abuse Reviews A Review of Biomarkers in Mood and Psychotic Disorders: A Dissection of Clinical vs. Preclinical Correlates
Current Neuropharmacology Functional Neuroimaging of Stimulation by Music Using Positron Emission Tomography
Current Medical Imaging Association Between Seizures and Diabetes Mellitus: A Comprehensive Review of Literature
Current Diabetes Reviews Phosphodiesterase: An Interface Connecting Cognitive Deficits to Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Physio-Pharmacological Role of the NPS/NPSR System in Psychiatric Disorders: A Translational Overview
Current Protein & Peptide Science