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H1 & H2 Antagonists
Presented By
Vivek Ajit Nimkar.
M.Pharm Ist Sem.
University Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur.440033.
Contents
 Introduction to histamine
 Biosynthesis of histamine
 Metabolism
 Receptors of histamine
 H1 Antihistaminics
 Mechanism of action
 H2 antihistaminics
 Uses
 Recent advances
 References
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Introduction To Histamine.
•Histamine is the β-imidazolylethylamine derivative present in all mamalians
tissue.
•It was first discovered by Sir Henry Dale.
•It’s synthesis occurs in mast cells, CNS, Parietal cells of gastric mucosa, and
periphery.
•It functions as autocoid and one of the mediator involved in the
inflammatory allergic responses.
•It has an important role in gastric acid secretion.
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Biosynthesis of Histamine
• Histamine is synthesized in cytoplasmic grannules of storage
cells,mast cells, basophils.
• It’s formed from naturally ocurring amino acid S-histidine via
the catalysis of pyridoxal phosphate –dependant enzyme
histidine decarboxylase
• Inhibitors Of histidine decarboxylase are α-Fluromethylene
and certain flavonoids
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Metabolism Of Histamine
• Metabolism of histamine taking place by
enzymatic inactivation .
• Enzymes responsible for metabolism are
1)Histamine N-methyl transferase(HMT)
2)Diamine oxidase (DAO).
• Histamine metabolised as N-methyl imidazole
acetic acid ,imidazole acetic acid riboside.
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Receptors Of Histamine
Histamine receptors belongs to the G-protein
coupled receptor.
Subtypes of histaminic receptors

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RECEPTORS H1 H2 H3 H4
LOCATION Brain, CVS,
GIT,
Lymphocytes
Myocardial
cells,
Parietal
cells.
CNS,
myenteric
plexus,
gastric
mucosa.
Spleen,
thymus, T-
cells.
Antihistaminics
Drugs that blocks the release of histamine at
H1,H2,H3,H4 receptors.
Drugs that blocks the action of released
histamine.
H1 antagonists(first ,second & third (newer)
generation).
H2 antagonists.
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H1 Antihistaminics
– SAR:
General structure of H1 antihistaminic is as follows
1)Aryl groups (Ar):
– Diaryl substitution is essential for H1 antihistaminic activity. And must
be co-planarity.
– Aryl substitution is as follows
Ar -phenyl & heteroaryl -2-pyridyl.
Ar1-Aryl or aryl methyl group.
2)Nature of “X”:
– C in case of pheniramine series and its steriospecific due to chirality.
– N (ethylene diamine)
– O (amino alkyl ether)
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3)Alkyl side chain:
most of antihistaminic drugs have ethylene chain and
branching to this chain leads to decrease in activity.
4)Terminal “N “atom:
Should in 3° amine form for maximum activity.
It may be sometimes a part of heterocyclic ring.
basicity with pKa 8.5-10
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H1 antihistaminics
First Generation (1G):
These are classical drugs
Clinically these are used in histamine mediated allergic rhinitis and cojuctivitis
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Amino alkyl ethers (Ethanolamines)
General Structure:
Drugs Ar Ar1 R
Chemical
Name
Diphenhydra
mine -H
N,N-
dimethyletha
namine.
Doxylamine
-CH3
2(2-
dimethylami
no ethoxy)-
methyl
benzyl
pyridine.
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Ethylenediamine derivative
Drugs Ar Ar1 Chemical Name
Tripelennamine
2(2-dimetyl
amiono)ethyl
amino pyridine.
methpyrilene
2(2-
(dimethylamino
)ethyl)-2-
thionylamino
pyridine.20-12-2017 UDPS,RTMN University,Nagpur 13
Propylamine derivative
Drugs Ar Ar1 Chemical name
pheniramine
2(2-
dimethylamino)et
hyl benzyl pyridine
Chlorpheniramine
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Phenothiazine Derivatives
Drugs R Chemical Name
Promethazine
(±)10(2-dimethyl
amino propyl)
phenotiazine.
Trimeperazine
(±)10(3-dimethyl
amino-2-methyl
propyl)phenothiazin
e.
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Piperazine Derivative
Drug R R1 Chemical Name
Cyclizine H CH3
1-(diphenyl
methyl)-4-methyl
piperazine
Meclizine Cl
1-P-chloro-α-
phenyl benzyl)-4-
(m-methyl
benzyl)piperazin
e.
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Mechanism Of Action
• H1 antagonists act by competitively inhibiting the effects of
histamine at H1 receptor.
• H1 receptor blockade results in decreased vascular
permeability,reduction of pruritus, relaxation of smooth
muscle in the respiratory.
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Adverse Effects
• The main adverse effect of H1 antagonists first generation is
SEDATION.
• This is evidenced by drowsiness, diminished alertness.
• This is due to their relative lack of selectivity for the
peripheral H1 receptor.
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Second Generation Drugs
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These have a relative low affinity for central H1 receptors & largely free
from sedation.
• The 2nd generation drugs have little affinity for muscarnic,adrenergic
receptors.
• TERFENADINE is a long acting H1 antagonist.
• FEXOFENADINE is a primary oxidative metabolite of TERFENADINE &
does not cross the BBB.
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These are active metabolite derivatives of second generation drugs
intended to have increased efficacy with fewer adverse drug reactions.
Fexofinadine
Levocetirizine
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H2 Antihistaminics
SAR:
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 The imidazole ring of histamine is not required
for competitive antagonism of histamine at H2.
Separation of ring & nitrogen group with the
equivalent of 4 carbon chain is necessary for
optimum antagonist activity.
 The other heterocyclic ring
(furan,thiophene,thiazole) enhances potency.
 The terminal nitrogen group should be polar,
non-basic substituent for maximal activity.
 These are the result of modification of
histamine structure.
Effect of Guanidine Groups
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• Mode of action :
These drugs blocks the H+_ K+ ATPase channel and receptor. which
releases gastric acid in stomach on stimuli.
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This made the guanidine analogue (top) the first example of a
guanidine having pure antagonist activity.
E.g. Guanyl histamine which is weak H2 antagonist .
H2 Antithistaminics
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Uses of Antihistaminics
• ALLERGIC DISORDERS:
• They effectively control certain immediate type of allergies
like itching, urticaria, seasonal hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis
& angioedema of lips eyelids etc.,
• CETIRIZINE have adjuvant role in seasonal asthma.
• PRURITIS:
Antihistamines are first choice of drugs for idiopathic pruritus.
• COMMON COLD:
• They donot effect the illness but may afford sympatomatic
relief by anticholinergic & sedative actions.
• As hypnotics eg: diphenhydramine & promethazine.
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• As “anti-tussives” Eg: diphenhydramine.
• As “anti-emetic” Eg: meclizine
• In “parkinsonism” Eg: promethazine , diphenhydramine.
• In drug induced “acute dystonias” Eg:
diphenhydramine,promethazine.
• To treat “motion & morning sickness” Eg:
cyclizine,promethazine.
• To treat “vertigo” conditions Eg: cinnarizine
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Recent advances in antihistaminic drugs
H1 antihistaminics
• Dexbrompheniramine
• Clemastine
• Carbinoxamine
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References
• JOHN H.BLOCK & JOHN M WILSON& GISVOLD’S ORGANIC
MEDICINAL & PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY. (PG): 698 – 728
• D.SRIRAM & P.YOGEESWARI -MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY.(PG): 278
– 302
• BERTRAM G.KATZUNG, SUSAN B.MARTERS ANTHONY
J.TREVOR BASIC & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (PG) : 277
• K.D TRIPATHI ESSENTIALS OF MEDICAL PHARMACOLOGY.(PG):
159 – 160.
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