The therapeutic index of a histamine-1 (H1)antihistamine is the benefit-to-risk ratio of the medication and defines the range of doses and plasma concentrations over which the drug is effective and safe. In allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria, although the efficacy profiles of currently available H1-antihistamines are similar, these agents differ greatly with regard to safety, and this c...

BACKGROUND The relation between airway responsiveness to constrictor agents and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is important when interpreting change in airway responsiveness after an intervention. The aim of the study was to analyse the relation between FEV1 as a percentage of predicted values (% predicted) and airway responsiveness between and within asthmatic subjects. METHOD...

Nasal congestion is one of the most troublesome symptoms of many upper airways diseases. We characterized the effect of selective α2c-adrenergic agonists in animal models of nasal congestion. In porcine mucosa tissue, compound A and compound B contracted nasal veins with only modest effects on arteries. In in vivo experiments, we examined the nasal decongestant dose-response characteristics, ph...

OBJECTIVE Bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory tract infection in the first year of life. In this disease upper respiratory tract infection is associated with nasal congestion, respiratory distress and hypoxia. We studied the effect of phenylephrine drops as a decongestant in treatment of light and moderately severe cases of acute bronchiolitis. METHODS This is a double blind randomize...

BACKGROUND Along with patient history, the physical examination is the key component for any patient encounter. Determining what should be included in the nasal examination is critical. Practicing evidenced-based medicine calls for an integration of the clinical/surgical expertise of the provider, the individual patient's needs and preferences, and the application of the current best medical kn...

Factors influencing nasal versus oral breathing in asthmatics are not well understood. The current authors hypothesised that asthmatic subjects have enhanced perception of nasal threshold loads, and switch from nasal to oral breathing at a lower load than healthy subjects. In total, 15 mild asthmatic and 20 healthy control subjects breathed nasally via an inspiratory threshold loading device. N...

BACKGROUND There has been no separate study investigating angioedema without urticaria (Aw/oU) exclusively in children so far. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency, clinical presentation, etiology, management and follow-up of Aw/oU in children. METHODS This is a prospective study that included all consecutive patients with a history of Aw/oU referred to our clinic betwee...

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a rare iatrogenic complication of ovulation stimulation. The pathogenesis of OHSS is uncertain. The crucial event appears to be an increase in capillary permeability by vasoactive mediators such as cytokine and histamine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of loratadine (antihistamine) in preventing ovarian hyperstimulation synd...

BACKGROUND Effects of the H1-antihistamine, cetirizine, were studied on daytime alertness and performance to establish whether the drug would be suitable for use by air personnel and others involved in skilled activity. METHODS The investigation was carried out in six healthy volunteers, and the effects of the drug (5, 10, and 15 mg) were studied on sleep latency, subjective sleepiness, digit...

H1 receptor blocking antihistamines administered by mouth have not found a clear place in the management of bronchial asthma. We investigated the possibility that higher concentrations of these drugs, administered directly to the bronchial tree, might produce bronchodilatation. Twelve asthmatic patients inhaled aerosols generated from solutions of clemastine (0.05%), salbutamol (0.5%), and plac...