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Do antihistamines have a role in asthma therapy?
1Clinical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55402, USA.
Pharmacotherapy
|March 20, 2001
Summary
Antihistamines manage allergic rhinitis but have limited direct impact on asthma. While second-generation antihistamines offer modest relief, future research should focus on enhancing their potency and anti-inflammatory effects for better asthma symptom control.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis and asthma frequently coexist.
- Histamine is a key mediator in both conditions, contributing to asthma pathophysiology.
- Antihistamines are commonly used for allergic rhinitis, necessitating an evaluation of their asthma-related effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of antihistamines in managing asthma symptoms.
- To assess the direct and indirect roles of antihistamines in asthma treatment.
- To identify potential improvements for antihistamine therapy in respiratory conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing clinical data on antihistamine use in patients with comorbid allergic rhinitis and asthma.
- Analysis of the pharmacological effects of first- and second-generation antihistamines on histamine-induced bronchospasm.
- Examination of studies investigating the impact of allergic rhinitis control on asthma outcomes.
Main Results:
- First-generation antihistamines are limited by significant side effects like sedation.
- Second-generation antihistamines show only modest efficacy in mitigating histamine-induced bronchospasm.
- Controlling allergic rhinitis with antihistamines demonstrates a small, indirect benefit for asthma symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Second-generation antihistamines are not a primary monotherapy for asthma.
- Antihistamines play a limited direct role in asthma management.
- Future research should aim to enhance antihistamine potency and anti-inflammatory properties for improved asthma care.