antihistamine

[ an-ti-his-tuh-meen, -min ]

/ ˌæn tɪˈhɪs təˌmin, -mɪn /

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noun Physiology, Pharmacology.

any of certain compounds or medicines that neutralize or inhibit the effect of histamine in the body, used chiefly in the treatment of allergic disorders and colds.

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Origin of antihistamine

First recorded in 1930–35; anti- + histamine

Words nearby antihistamine

antihelix, antihemophilic factor, antihero, antiheroic, antiheroine, antihistamine, antihistamines, antihistaminic, antihuman, antihydrogen, antihypertensive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use antihistamine in a sentence

She prescribed an antihistamine to treat the latter and advised Cutter to see an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Hours after a massage, a professor was wildly dizzy and deaf in one ear|Sandra G. Boodman|December 11, 2021|Washington Post
For example, they don’t know not to mix large amounts of alcohol or large amounts of antihistamines.
I Am a Heroin User. I Do Not Have a Drug Problem - Issue 96: Rewired|Mark MacNamara|February 17, 2021|Nautilus
“He gave me a blue pill, which he said was an antihistamine,” said Chelan.
Two New Bill Cosby Accusers Come Forward: ‘We Challenge Mr. Cosby to End This Nightmare’|Marlow Stern|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And, Zyrtec, an antihistamine, was the highest grossing nonfood of 2008, coming in at $316 million in sales.
Blame Climate Change for Your Terrible Seasonal Allergies|Kent Sepkowitz|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Elvis also had the painkillers morphine and Demerol; tranquilizers Placidyl and Valium; and Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine.
Elvis's Doctor Speaks|Gerald Posner|August 14, 2009|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for antihistamine

antihistamine

/ (ˌæntɪˈhɪstəˌmiːn, -mɪn) /

noun

any drug that neutralizes the effects of histamine, used esp in the treatment of allergies

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for antihistamine

antihistamine

[ ăn′tē-hĭs′tə-mēn′ ]

Any of various drugs that relieve cold or allergy symptoms by blocking the action of histamine.