[Effect of cetirizine, selective H1 antagonist of histamine on skin and bronchial reactivity and cellular histamine release in allergic diseases].

The study aimed at evaluating an effect of cetirizine--selective antagonist of histamine H1 receptor--on skin and bronchial reaction to histamine, and histamine release from the cells by pollen antigen and anti-IgE. Skin reactivity was tested thrice in 33 patients treated with Zyrtec (Polfa) for the chronic urticaria or allergic rhinitis. Reaction of the bronchi to histamine was tested with a technique described by Ryan et al in 10 asthmatic patients. As effect of cetirizine on histamine release from neutrophils was evaluated in patients with pollinosis before and on the fourth day of therapy. It was shown that the treatment with Zyrtec markedly decreases skin reaction to histamine. Single dose of drug administered 4 hours before the tests markedly restricts reactivity of the bronchi. Daily dose of 10 mg administered to patients with pollinosis stabilizes membranes of neutrophils.