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.

In January 1997, 62 subjects who had been the placebos in the 1995 study were invited to receive the vitamin B12. In June 1997, the 62 placebo subjects were sent a questionnaire asking: How would you compare your overall allergy (hay fever) symptoms this spring to the last two springs? 20 people responded, with 15 reporting having had the B12 treatment, and 5 not. 12 of the 15 reported at least a slight improvement in overall allergy symptoms, and 1 of the 5. Improvement ratios - 12:3 having received treatment, 1:4 not having received treatment.8 A bioequivalence study showed that a 3000 mcg lozenge delivered an equivalent amount of cyanocobalamin to the blood as a 15 mcg injection.9 From the spring to the summer patients with demonstrated allergic rhinitis received with the cyanocobalamin (or placebo) containing lozenge twice daily for 21 consecutive days. All subjects also received C and B oral multivitamins for 21 days. Twice daily subjects maintained a nine-week diary on sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, itchy nose and antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) use. In the post-treatment period, the active group (n=15) recorded on average a greater reduction in symptoms and in antihistamine use than the placebo group (n=9). The results yielded reductions (0.1>p>0.01) in total weekly symptom/rescue medication for the active group compared to the placebo for weeks 2, 6, 8 and 9. The results tend to replicate those of the studies on injectable cyanocobalamin.10

Studies indicate that ingested oral cyanocobalamin tablets are ineffective in the treatment of allergic disease, perhaps because once ingested, they are directly metabolized in the liver. When B12 is delivered via injection or lozenge it passes throughout the bloodstream before arriving at the liver. It is during this first pass in its native form that it is believed to exert its therapeutic effect. CLINICAL RESEARCH: "The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes allergic rhinitis (hay fever), sinusitis, asthma,...conjunctivitis, urticaria, eczema, dermatitis (contact and atopic)...allergic and migraine headache...as diseases in which IgE-mediated allergy may be involved."1 In 1988, asthma and allergic rhinitis subjects were treated with B12. Total IgE, specific IgE and pulmonary lung functions were taken at days 45, 150 and 180 from baseline. Eight of the 9 subjects had reduced IgE. 2 In 1989 open label studies at two sites in Riverside County, CA in 1989. Sixteen of the 17 subjects had lowered IgE levels from Day 0 to Day 30.3

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