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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis
Published on: December 20, 2024
Cardiovascular safety of antihistamines
Anna Olasińska-Wiśniewska1, Jerzy Olasiński2, Stefan Grajek1
11 Department of Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Stefan Grajek MD, PhD.
Abstract:
Histamine is a mediator, which increases the permeability of capillaries during the early phase of allergic reaction, causes smooth muscle contraction of bronchi and stimulates mucous glands in the nasal cavity. Antihistamines are the basis of symptomatic treatment in the majority of allergic diseases, especially allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria and anaphylaxis. The cardiotoxic effects of the two withdrawn drugs, terfenadine and astemizole, were manifested by prolonged QT intervals and triggering torsades de pointes (TdP) caused by blockade of the 'rapid' I Kr potassium channels. These phenomena, however, are not a class effect. This review deals with a new generation of antihistamine drugs in the context of QT interval prolongation risk.
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