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Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines

Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a class of drugs widely used to alleviate the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. They work by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is released by immune cells in response to allergenic substances or tissue injuries.
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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Published on: December 20, 2024

WITHDRAWN: Antihistamines for the common cold.

An Im De Sutter¹, Marc Lemiengre, Harry Campbell

¹Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Ghent University, 1K3, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent, Belgium, 9000.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|October 13, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Antihistamines offer no significant benefit for the common cold, causing more side effects like sedation. Combinations with decongestants are ineffective in young children, though some benefit may exist for older individuals.

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Published on: December 20, 2024

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Clinical Medicine
Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

Antihistamines are widely prescribed for the common cold.
Evidence supporting their efficacy in treating cold symptoms is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the effectiveness of antihistamines in alleviating nasal symptoms of the common cold.
To determine if antihistamines shorten the duration of illness.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
Searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases.
Included trials involving antihistamines alone or in combination for adults and children.

Main Results:

No significant clinical effect of antihistamines in monotherapy for general recovery in children or adults.
First-generation antihistamines showed a minor effect on rhinorrhea and sneezing, with increased sedation.
Combinations with decongestants were ineffective in young children; some benefit observed in older individuals.

Conclusions:

Antihistamines alone do not clinically alleviate common cold symptoms or improve subjective recovery.
First-generation antihistamines increase side effects, particularly sedation.
Combination therapies show potential in older children and adults, but clinical significance remains uncertain.