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Antihistamine

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
antihistamine /an·ti·his·ta·mine/ (-his´tah-men) an agent that counteracts the action of histamine; usually used for agents blocking H1 receptors (H) and used to treat allergic reactions and as components of cough and cold preparations. Agents blocking H2 receptors, used to inhibit gastric secretion in peptic ulcer, are usually called H.
an·ti·his·ta·mine (nt-hst-mn, -mn)
n.
Any of several drugs used to counteract the physiological effects of histamine.

anti·hista·mine adj.

Antihistamine
A drug that inhibits the actions of histamine. Histamine causes dilatation of capillaries, contraction of smooth muscle, and stimulation of gastric acid secretion.

antihistamine (an´tīhis´tmin),
n a drug that counteracts the release of histamine such as occurs in allergic reactions; also has topical anesthetic and sedative effects, as well as a drying effect on the nasal mucosa.

antihistamine
a drug that counteracts the effects of histamine by acting on histamine receptors without activating them but preventing their accessibility to histamine. A competitive and reversible reaction. There are two types:
Those that block H1 receptors are commonly referred to as the antihistamines and are widely used to relieve the symptoms of allergic reactions, especially urticaria. Some have an antinauseant action that is useful in the prevention of motion sickness and others have a sedative and hypnotic action.
H2 receptor blocking agents inhibit the stimulation of gastric secretions.
See also histamine antagonists, H2-receptor blocker.

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A Lancaster woman was convicted Wednesday of murdering her toddler son, who was beaten, poisoned with an over-the-counter antihistamine, suffocated and, after he was dead, burned in a tamale pot.
TRK-820 is a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist with a novel mechanism of action which differs from that for conventional drugs such as antihistamine, and it is expected that the compound will be effective for treating itching that is resistant to existing therapeutics.
Her medical history included allergic rhinitis, which was treated with an antihistamine and nasal steroid spray, and sarcoidosis, which required no treatment.
 
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