Antihistamines as analgesics

Abstract

Histamine activates pain-transmitting nerve fibres, releases pain-related neuropeptides, and is painful when injected into the skin. Histamine agonists mimic these effects, suggesting that histamine plays a role in mediating the signal transduction of tissue damage or other painful stimulus. Certain 'antihistamines' (histamine H1 receptor antagonists) and other antihistaminics are 'analgesic' in preclinical or clinical models. Potential sites of action of these agents include the brain and spinal cord and a specific histamine receptor subtype might be involved (three subtypes have been identified). However, it is possible that other mechanisms account for the analgesic effect.