Association of Prescription H1 Antihistamine Use With Obesity: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

The incidence of obesity in the US has reached epidemic proportions. Previous research has shown several medications exert noticeable effects on body weight regulation. Histamine 1 (H1) receptor blockers commonly used to alleviate allergy symptoms are known to report weight gain as a possible side effect. Therefore, we investigated the association between prescription H1 antihistamine use and obesity in adults using data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Adults taking prescription H1 antihistamines were matched by age and gender with controls; and compared on the basis of body measurements, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, and lipid levels. Prescription H1 antihistamine users had a significantly higher weight, waist circumference, and insulin concentration than matched controls. The odds ratio (OR) for being overweight was increased in prescription H1 antihistamine users. H1 antihistamine use may contribute to the increased prevalence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome in adults given these medications are also commonly used as over the counter remedies.

The histaminergic system as a target for the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome

“…A recent publication by Ratliff and colleagues (Ratliff et al, 2010) described a relationship between the use of prescription H 1 antihistamines (i.e. cetirizine, fexofenadine and desloratadine) and an increased risk of obesity in US adults as compared with age and gender-matched, healthy controls, using data available from the 2005e2006 National Health Examination Survey.…”

Histamine and H1-antihistamines: Celebrating a century of progress

“…Their anti-a-adrenergic effects include dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. 1,18,92,93 They have also been implicated in impairing the innate immune response to bacterial infection 94 ; however, this is more likely attributable to coadministered H 2 -antihistamines. 95 For 70 years, H 1 -antihistamines have been marketed to the medical profession and the general public as safe medications, despite the voluminous medical literature documenting their CNS adverse effects and toxicity (Table IV).…”

The Role of Hypothalamic H1 Receptor Antagonism in Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain

“…[17][18] To date, four histamine receptors (H1-H4) have been found in mammals, in which the H1 receptor is the most well-documented in feeding and body weight regulation. [11] In H1 receptor knock-out (KO) mice, mature-onset obesity accompanied by hyperphagia and increased visceral adiposity have been found, [19] while in humans, prescription of H1 antihistamine medicines (blocking H1 receptors) is also associated with increased body weight [20][21][22] and body mass index (BMI), according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) [23] . A number of studies have…”