Although several lines of evidence support a role for histamine in the pathogenesis of atopic
dermatitis, antihistamines have generally offered only marginal therapeutic benefit. The
efficacy of the classic antihistamines has been severely limited by sedative effects,
demonstrating the need for improved, nonsedating agents. Multifunctional antihistamines, or
third-generation “antiallergic” drugs, appear to offer a variety of advantages beyond their
ability to inhibit histamine release, such as inhibition of mediator release and interference …