CLINICAL APPRAISAL OF BENADRYL, PYRIBENZAMINE, AND ANTHALLAN IN THE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC DISORDERS

Abstract

Benadryl, Pyribenzamine, and Anthallan are 3 new American drugs employed for palliative treatment of allergic conditions. They are considered anti-histamine agents in that they neutralize histamine by displacing it from the site of action. Anthallan, however, demonstrates weak anti-histamine effects from laboratory studies. Benadryl has been found to be the most potent drug of the series in the therapy of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, urticaria, angioneurotic edema, vasomotor rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Pyribenzamine has a slightly less therapeutic value, but possesses the advantage of causing less than half the toxic side reactions of benadryl, which are, in order of frequency, somnolence, fatigueability, dry mouth, dizziness, urinary frequency, nervousness, epigastric discomfort, and headache. Serious side reactions as confusion, exhaustion, somnolence, and dizziness are working hazards. Anthallan was found effective in treating allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis, but its outstanding quality appeared to be in preventing relapses in acute and chronic urticaria, angioneurotic edema, atopic dermatitis, and infantile eczema. It possessed the major advantage of eliciting no toxic side effects. Often large doses of anthallan over a long period prevented clinical relapse and permanent cure. While these drugs are an in-valuable asset to the allergic armamentarium, they are no substitute for an adequate investigation into an allergic problem. Indiscriminate use of these antihistaminics is to be thoroughly discouraged. A review of the literature and analysis of the histamine theory of allergy is made.