Posted by tensor on October 3, 2006, at 11:20:34
In reply to Re: Antihistamine, posted by SLS on October 3, 2006, at 11:04:16
>What is it about them that has prevented them from becoming known as effective antihistamines?
Maybe because it isn't as selective as Atarax, but on the other hand there seems to be other mechanisms involved. From Medscape:
The oral antidepressant mirtazapine relieves itch in some patients (Davis, Frandsen, Walsh, Andresen, & Taylor, 2003; Hundley & Yosipovitch, 2004). We have successfully alleviated nighttime itching in many patients using a low dose of 15 milligrams at night (Hundley & Yosipovitch, 2004). This mirtazapine regimen is effective even in cases of severe pruritus associated with erythrodermic psoriasis. Mirtazapine has a sedative effect due to its H1-antihistamine properties, but it also acts as an antagonist at noradrenergenic α2-receptors and 5HT2 and 5HT3 serotonin receptors. Therefore, it enhances the release of norepinephrine and selectively increases serotonin transmission. It is not clear which mechanism of action is responsible for mirtazapine's anti pruritic properties; the α2-adrenergic antagonism may act to centrally reduce itch. Other common antidepressants like fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, and paroxetine do not appear to be effective for itch.It's not used only for its antihistamine properties, well i'm sure you found the same article.
/Mattias
poster:tensor
thread:691471
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061003/msgs/691485.html