Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
antihistamine
English answer:
drug which blocks natural histamine
Added to glossary by
Joy Christensen
Feb 5, 2004 20:39
20 yrs ago
English term
antihistamine
English
Medical
Medical: Pharmaceuticals
allergy treatment
Could you give me a short definition of what an antihistamine is? Yes I know what it is, but would like to know how you would describe it in about 10 words at most (in particular as allergy treatment).
- a substance ....
- a substance ....
Responses
58 mins
Selected
antihistamine
Drugs which block the action of histamine , thus preventing major symptoms of an allergic response :)
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Note added at 2004-02-05 21:39:36 (GMT)
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http://www.hon.ch/Library/Theme/Allergy/Glossary/antihistami...
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Note added at 2004-02-05 21:39:36 (GMT)
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http://www.hon.ch/Library/Theme/Allergy/Glossary/antihistami...
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I think this is a very nice definition, and that is what I asked for! "Counteracting" just had to go! It was not quite clear (my fault) that the definition was to be for the layperson in a glossary appended to a report. This fits well. "
+2
3 mins
A drug that counteracts the action of histamine.
from cancerweb:
antihistamine:
<pharmacology> A drug that counteracts the action of histamine. The antihistamines are of two types. The conventional ones, as those used in allergies, block the H1 histamine receptors, whereas the others block the H2 receptors.
Synonym: antihistaminic.
(18 Nov 1997)
antihistamine:
<pharmacology> A drug that counteracts the action of histamine. The antihistamines are of two types. The conventional ones, as those used in allergies, block the H1 histamine receptors, whereas the others block the H2 receptors.
Synonym: antihistaminic.
(18 Nov 1997)
+3
4 mins
hmmm
a compound that counteracts histamine (and is) used for treating allergic reactions (and cold symptoms)
what does 'about ten words at most' mean? :-)
what does 'about ten words at most' mean? :-)
Peer comment(s):
agree |
RHELLER
: I don't think action or release are required here
1 hr
|
agree |
Jörgen Slet
1 hr
|
agree |
Rajan Chopra
4 hrs
|
3 mins
A chemical that blocks the affect of histamine in a susceptible tissues.
Histamine is released by immune cells during an allergic reaction and also during infection with viruses which cause the common cold. The interaction of histamine with the mucus membranes of the eyes and nose results in "watery eyes" and the "runny nose" often accompanying allergies and colds. Antihistamines can alleviate such symptoms.
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Note added at 5 mins (2004-02-05 20:44:41 GMT)
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Medication that prevents symptoms of congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose by blocking histamine receptors.
From: www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/2300/2398.asp
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Note added at 8 mins (2004-02-05 20:48:00 GMT)
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14 words definition:
A drug used to reduce effects associated with histamine production in allergies and colds.
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Note added at 10 mins (2004-02-05 20:49:40 GMT)
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6 words definition:
A drug used to inactivate histamine.
From: www.wfubmc.edu/besthealth/ODH/glossary.htm
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Note added at 5 mins (2004-02-05 20:44:41 GMT)
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Medication that prevents symptoms of congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose by blocking histamine receptors.
From: www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/2300/2398.asp
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Note added at 8 mins (2004-02-05 20:48:00 GMT)
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14 words definition:
A drug used to reduce effects associated with histamine production in allergies and colds.
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Note added at 10 mins (2004-02-05 20:49:40 GMT)
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6 words definition:
A drug used to inactivate histamine.
From: www.wfubmc.edu/besthealth/ODH/glossary.htm
Peer comment(s):
neutral |
RHELLER
: sorry Nikita but you made 2 mistakes: effect (not affect) and in this case there is no article before susceptible tissues (plural); it's your job to proof them before posting. If you post them here they become your mistakes
1 hr
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Rita, thanx for the 'proofreading' :-) But these mistakes're not mine, they were made by the original authors of this definition ( http://www.nutrabio.com/Definitions/definitions_a.htm )and they're English native speakers, you compatriots from New Jersey!
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+1
11 mins
here's another version
a drug that blocks the effects of histamine, a chemical released in body fluids during an allergic reaction.
( a bit difficult to define in about 10 words "at most")
( a bit difficult to define in about 10 words "at most")
Discussion
antihistamine - a substance counteracting (or blocking) histamine release, used in the treatment of allergies
I didn't like the use of the progressive form - but it looks like "blocking histamine release" is also incorrect if as Nikita says, the known antihistamines actually block the receptors (not the release site).