The relation between antihistamine medication during early pregnancy and birth defects

Antihistamines are a group of medications which can inhibit various histaminic actions at one of two histamine receptors (H inf 1 /inf or H inf 2 /inf ). H inf 1 /inf receptor antagonists are used for the relief of allergic dermatological and nondermatological conditions. We will review classes of antihistamines (H inf 1 /inf antagonists) and the relationship between specific antihistamines and specific birth defects. Although many findings provide reassurance about the relative safety of many antihistamine drugs and that any malformation reported is most probably caused by chance,studies are still required to assure fetal safety. As pruritus is sometimes troublesome for pregnant women topical medications like emollients should be tried first in the first trimester of pregnancy. Also pregnant women should be advised to consult their health care provider before taking any medication. © 2015 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Ain Shams University.