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Glossary entry

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 ....
Responses
3 antihistamine
4 +3 hmmm
4 +2 A drug that counteracts the action of histamine.
4 +1 here's another version
4 A chemical that blocks the affect of histamine in a susceptible tissues.

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Feb 5, 2004:
Think I'm overworked - Lars it was.
Non-ProZ.com Feb 5, 2004:
Also noted by Enza - first in fact. Apologies!
Non-ProZ.com Feb 5, 2004:
What do you say about this one? I'm correcting a text where it is defined as follows:
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).
Non-ProZ.com Feb 5, 2004:
right - "about 10 at most" is not very well stated ... but about 10 is definitely less than about 20. And a standard line of typewritten text in English is approx. 10, so basically umhmmm, just one line. But we ;-) ies are flexible, right?

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...
Something went wrong...
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)
Reference:

http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=antihistamine&action=Search+OMD

Peer comment(s):
agree Jörgen Slet
1 hr
agree Rajan Chopra
4 hrs
Something went wrong...
+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? :-)
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
Something went wrong...
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



--------------------------------------------------
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
Reference:

http://www.nutrabio.com/Definitions/definitions_a.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
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!
Something went wrong...
+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")

Peer comment(s):
agree Jörgen Slet
1 hr
Something went wrong...
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