Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026
10:31
Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies
Published on: October 25, 2018
[Antihistaminics in pediatric age]
O Stellato1, V Barresi, A Palermo
1Sezione di Neonatologia, Ospedale San Gennaro di Napoli, Italia.
Summary
Histamine H1-receptor antagonists are widely used for allergic diseases. This review covers their molecular actions, clinical use, and side effects, distinguishing between older sedating and newer non-sedating types, especially in children.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Allergy
Context:
- Histamine is a key mediator in inflammation and allergic responses.
- H1-receptor antagonists are globally prevalent medications.
- Understanding their mechanisms is crucial for managing allergic conditions.
Purpose:
- To review the molecular basis of H1-receptor antagonist action.
- To detail their clinical pharmacology and efficacy in allergic disorders.
- To examine adverse reactions, with a focus on pediatric populations.
Summary:
- This review explores H1-receptor antagonists, detailing their molecular mechanisms, clinical applications, and safety profiles.
- It differentiates between first-generation (sedating) and second-generation (non-sedating) antihistamines.
- Special attention is given to their use and effects in children.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview for clinicians and researchers on H1-receptor antagonists.
- Highlights the differences between antihistamine generations for optimal patient care.
- Informs therapeutic strategies for allergic diseases, particularly in pediatric settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Upper 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.
Histamine binds to specific receptor sites, known as H1 receptors, on tissue cells, triggering inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines combat these effects by competing with histamine for these receptor sites. By...
Histamine binds to specific receptor sites, known as H1 receptors, on tissue cells, triggering inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines combat these effects by competing with histamine for these receptor sites. By...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...