Galantamine (RAZADYNE®, galantamine hydrobromide) is a benzazepine derived from norbelladine. It is found in Galanthus and other Amaryllidaceae. It is a reversible, competitive acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that is used for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Although the etiology of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood, it has been reported that acetylcholine-producing neurons degenerate in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The degree of this cholinergic loss has been correlated with degree of cognitive impairment and density of amyloid plaques (a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease). While the precise mechanism of galantamine’s (RAZADYNE®, galantamine hydrobromide) action is unknown, it is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase. If this mechanism is correct, galantamine’s (RAZADYNE®, galantamine hydrobromide) effect may lessen as the disease process advances and fewer cholinergic neurons remain functionally intact. There is no evidence that galantamine (RAZADYNE®, galantamine hydrobromide) alters the course of the underlying dementing process.

Famotidine, a competitive histamine H2-receptor antagonist, is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric or duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and pathological hypersecretory conditions. Famotidine inhibits many of the isoenzymes of the hepatic CYP450 enzyme system. Other actions of Famotidine include an increase in gastric bacterial flora such as nitrate-reducing organisms. Famotidine binds competitively to H2-receptors located on the basolateral membrane of the parietal cell, blocking histamine affects. This competitive inhibition results in reduced basal and nocturnal gastric acid secretion and a reduction in gastric volume, acidity, and amount of gastric acid released in response to stimuli including food, caffeine, insulin, betazole, or pentagastrin.

Cimetidine is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist. It reduces basal and nocturnal gastric acid secretion and a reduction in gastric volume, acidity, and amount of gastric acid released in response to stimuli including food, caffeine, insulin, betazole, or pentagastrin. It is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric or duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and pathological hypersecretory conditions. Cimetidine inhibits many of the isoenzymes of the hepatic CYP450 enzyme system. Other actions of Cimetidine include an increase in gastric bacterial flora such as nitrate-reducing organisms. Cimetidine binds to an H2-receptor located on the basolateral membrane of the gastric parietal cell, blocking histamine effects. This competitive inhibition results in reduced gastric acid secretion and a reduction in gastric volume and acidity.

Hydroxyzine, a piperazine antihistamine structurally related to buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine, is used to treat histamine-mediated pruritus or pruritus due to allergy, nausea and vomiting, and, in combination with an opiate agonist, anxiolytic pain. Hydroxyzine is also used as a perioperative sedative and anxiolytic and to manage acute alcohol withdrawal. Hydroxyzine competes with histamine for binding at H1-receptor sites on the effector cell surface, resulting in suppression of histaminic edema, flare, and pruritus. The sedative properties of hydroxyzine occur at the subcortical level of the CNS. Secondary to its central anticholinergic actions, hydroxyzine may be effective as an antiemetic. It is used for symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis and as an adjunct in organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested.

IRDABISANT is a histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist with potential therapeutic utility in cognition enhancement.

Tiotidine is a controversial histamine H2 receptor ligand with negligible activity against H1- and H3- receptors. It was found that tiotidine behaves as an inverse agonist in U-937 cells, diminishing basal cAMP levels. Tiotidine showed two binding sites, one with high affinity and low capacity and the other with low affinity and high capacity. Tiotidine is currently in use as a radioligand in histamine H2-receptor binding studies. Compared to cimetidine, tiotidine appears to be approximately eight times more potent on a molar basis than cimetidine as an inhibitor of acid secretion, and the tiotidine effect is more prolonged. It was developed for the treatment of peptic ulcer.