Question

Amongst the following antihistamines, which are antacids?

• A. Cimetidine
• B. Brompheniramine
• C. Terfenadine
• D. Ranitidine

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

Ranitidine

Analysing the options:

Antihistamines are drugs that inhibit the action of histamine in the body by blocking the receptors of histamine.

Option (A):

Ranitidine is an antihistamine (histamine-blocker) that is used as an antacid. This is because it prevents the interaction of histamine with the receptors present in the stomach wall. This results in the release of a lesser amount of acid.

Option (B):

Brompheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.
Brompheniramine is used to treat such symptoms as runny nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Option (C):

Terfenadine is also an antihistamine that prevents sneezing, runny nose, itching, watering of the eyes, and other allergic symptoms.
Terfenadine is used to treat allergies, hives (urticaria), and other allergic inflammatory conditions.

Option (D):

Cimetidine is an antihistamine that is used as an antacid as it also prevents the interaction of histamine with the receptors present in the stomach wall.
Hence, it is used to treat heartburn from acidity/indigestion.

So, options (A) and (D) are the correct answers.