Chlorphenamine
From Ganfyd
Contents |
Introduction
This drug developed in the 1950s and now well known as a safe (sedating) over the counter antihistamine is a potential example of a drug that may have possible indications hidden by market and other forces that distort therapeutics. The Nobel prize winner Arvid Carlsson did not totally hide that this drug had selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor properties but went on to help develop the first SSRI to market. Effectively clinical trials of this drug in depression and its more, but poorly known amongst doctors, clinically effective indications of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder could have taken place in the 1970's[1]. Actually it has only been in the last two years that clinical trials have shown antidepressant actions in mice[2] and its anxietiolytic action in man (or rather pregnant women) has been suggested as potentially important[3]. It has been suggested that the association between panic attacks and hayfever[4] may be due to patients changing from a chlorphenamine to a non-sedating antihistamine which does not protect against anxiety!
Clinical Use
Indications
Administration
Oral
Clinical Issues
Contra-indications
Cautions and Interactions
Side effects
Special advice
Pharmacology
References
- ↑ Hellbom E. Chlorpheniramine, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and over-the-counter (OTC) treatment. Medical hypotheses. 2006; 66(4):689-90.(Link to article – subscription may be required.)
- ↑ Hirano S, Miyata S, Onodera K, Kamei J. Involvement of dopamine D1 receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptors in the antidepressant-like effect of chlorpheniramine in the mouse tail suspension test. European journal of pharmacology. 2007 May 7; 562(1-2):72-6.(Link to article – subscription may be required.)
- ↑ Charlton BG. Self-management of psychiatric symptoms using over-the-counter (OTC) psychopharmacology: the S-DTM therapeutic model--Self-diagnosis, self-treatment, self-monitoring. Medical hypotheses. 2005; 65(5):823-8.(Link to article – subscription may be required.)
- ↑ Goodwin RD. Self-reported hay fever and panic attacks in the community. Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. 2002 Jun; 88(6):556-9.
