Biochemical effect of diltiazem in hyperthyroidism

To evaluate the effect of diltiazem on thyroid function tests. This prospective, interventional study was conducted on 19 newly diagnosed patients of hyperthyroidism attending the out patient department of Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Peshawar. All patients took diltiazem 30 mg three times a day for 6 weeks. Serum free thyroxine [FT4] measurements were done before starting diltiazem and then serially after 2, 4 and 6 weeks [+ 3 days] of therapy. FT4 decreased from 33.29 +/- 7.77 pmol / L to 32.77 +/- 8.15 pmol / L after 2 weeks [P = 0.509], to 31.86 +/- 8.15 pmol / L after 4 weeks [P = 0.138] and then to 31.50 +/- 7.80 pmol / L after 6 weeks [P = 0.137]. Diltiazem has some although not significant biochemical effectiveness in decreasing the thyroid hormone levels after 4-6 weeks of therapy

Clinical efficacy of diltiazem in hyperthyroidism

To evaluate the effect of diltiazem on the adrenergic manifestations of hyperthyroidism. This prospective, interventional study included newly diagnosed patients with untreated hyperthyroidism attending the out patient department of Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Peshawar. All patients took diltiazem 30 mg three times a day for 6 weeks. Clinical assessment was done before starting therapy and then serially after 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks [+3 days] using standardized and modified hyperthyroid symptom score [HSS] including excessive sweating, trembling hands, heat intolerance, easy fatigability, nervousness, diarrhoea, increased appetite, palpitation and dyspnoea on exertion. This study was conducted on 19 patients [16 females and 3 males, mean age 35.31 +/- 10.36 years] HSS decreased from 14.42 +/- 2.71 [mean +/- SD] to 12.89 +/- 3.39 after one week [P<0.05], and then to 11.21 +/- 3.64, 10.78 +/- 3.35 and 10.26 +/- 2.95 after 2, 4 and 6 weeks, respectively [P<0.001]. Diltiazem effectively controls the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism

Comparative study of local anaesthetic activity of H1-receptor antagonists

Local anaesthetic activity of various H[1] -receptor antagonists [Promethazine, diphenhydramine, antazoline, pheniramine, chlorpheniramine, cyclizine, clemastine, astemizole and terfenadine] was studied by Intradermal wheal method in rabbits. Comparison of each drug was made with the standard local anaesthetic, lignocaine. Only promethazine, diphenhydramine, antazoline and cyclizine had local anaesthetic activity. Promethazine was the most potent drug in this regard. Pheniramine, chlorpheniramine, astemizole and terfenadine did not show any local anaesthetic activity in this study

Comparative study of anticholinergic effects of H1-receptor antagonists

Anticholinergic effects of various H1-receptor antagonists [Promethazine, diphenhydramine, cyclizine, clemastine, antazoline, cholorpheniramine, pheniramine, terfenadine, astemizole] were studied by observing their antagonism to the contractile response of the rabbit isolated ileum preparation to acetylcholine. Four doses of acetylcholine were selected from the linear part of log dose response curve, constructed by recording isotonic contractions of rabbit ileum on kymograph. The effects of these 4 doses of acetylcholine alone and in the presence of three increasing doses of HI-receptor antagonist in the organ bath were compared. Experimental data was statistically analysed. Diphenhydramine, promethazine and cyclizine showed prominent anticholinergic effects. Clemastine, antazoline and pheniramine had moderate anticholinergic effect. Chlor- pheniramine had mild anticholinergic effect whereas terfenadine and astemizole were devoid of anticholinergic effect

Comparative study of sedative effects of H1-receptor antagonists

Sedative effects of various H[1-]receptor antagonists [Promethazine, diphenhydramine, antazoline, chlorpheniramine, pheniramine, cyclizine, clemastine, terfenadine, astemizole] were studied by observing enhancement of pentobarbitone sleeping time in nine groups of albino rats and compared with control group. Experimental data was statistically analyzed. All drugs under study except recently introduced terfenadine and astemizole significantly enhanced pentobarbitone sleeping time. Increase in sleeping time was found highly significant in case of promethazine, diphenydramine and clemastine; very significant in case of pheniramine and significant in case of chlorpheniramine, antazoline and cyclizine. Terfenadine and astemizole caused insignificant increase in sleeping. time