Antihistamines As the name indicates, an antihistamine counters the effects of histamine, which is released by the mast cells in the body''s tissues and contributes to allergy symptoms. For many years, antihistamines have proven useful in relieving sneezing and itching in the nose, throat, and eyes and in reducing nasal swelling and drainage. Many people who take antihistamines experience some distressing side effects: drowsiness and loss of alertness and coordination. In children, such reactions can be misinterpreted as behavior problems. During the last few years, however, antihistamines that cause fewer of these side effects have become available by prescription. These new nonsedating antihistamines are as effective as other antihistamines in preventing histamine-induced symptoms, but do so without causing sleepiness.

All of the active B12 group reporting showed reduction in severity of symptoms ranging from 31% to 70%, while the placebo controls reported either no change or a worsening of symptoms. Wilcoxon-Rank of .002 for the end-points of sneezing, nasal congestion and runny nose; and p = .005 for IgE reductions. In 1992, the above mentioned data from 1988 on were presented by Dr. O''Connor to the FDA. The FDA panel acknowledged the safety of the treatment. The panel seemed to be in agreement that the statistics indicated a significant reduction in IgE and that a quantitative drop in symptoms was demonstrated. In 1992, Belen Anibarro, MD, studied five children with asthma with metabisulfite intolerance confirmed by oral challenge testing. The test was repeated after premedication with 1.5 mg of oral cyanocobalamin. In four of the five patients treated, bronchospasm did not develop in the second metabisulfite challenge.6

In 1992 in El Paso, TX a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of subjects (n=130) with allergic rhinitis in 1992-1993 was conducted. The average IgE level of the placebo treated subjects remained essentially flat, while the average IgE level for active treated subjects was reduced significantly from baseline to Day 30.7 In 1993 in El Paso, TX, valid subjects (n=66) returned a second set of symptom diaries which they had completed for days 365 to 395 (the same period, one year after the first set of symptom diaries). The active group had mean symptom scores showing statistically significant decreases from 1992 to 1993. The placebo group had increased symptoms in 1993. (The relevant pollen counts at the study site in 1993 were much higher than in 1992, leading to expectation of higher symptoms.)7

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