Medicine
Volume 35, Issue 11 , Pages 592-593, November 2007

Antihistamine poisoning

S H L Thomas MD FRCP FRCPE is Consultant Physician in the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, Reader in Therapeutics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and Director of the National Poisons Information Service (Newcastle Unit). He trained in clinical pharmacology and toxicology at St Thomas' Hospital, London and in Newcastle upon Tyne. His research interests are adverse drug reactions and poisoning. Competing interests: none declared

Abstract 

Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergy, dizziness and nausea. The sedating antihistamines are non-specific in their actions and often have marked anticholinergic effects. Features of overdose include tachycardia, blood pressure disturbances, dry mouth, ataxia, agitation and psychosis and, uncommonly, convulsions. Sedation is exacerbated by alcohol consumption. Non-sedating antihistamines are less toxic in overdose but may cause tachycardia, drowsiness, gastrointestinal disturbances and headache. Arrhythmias have occasionally been reported with sedating and non-sedating antihistamine overdose. Treatment of antihistamine overdose includes activated charcoal (when indicated) and general supportive care. Cardiovascular monitoring, including of the electrocardiogram, is appropriate. Convulsions should be treated with a benzodiazepine. Patients who have not developed toxicity within 6 hours of overdose are unlikely to do so.

Keywords: antihistamines, chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, poisoning, overdose

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1357-3039(07)00286-1

doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2007.08.014

Medicine
Volume 35, Issue 11 , Pages 592-593, November 2007

Article Tools