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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Arthritis Pain Relief
Brand Name
Cvs Arthritis Pain Relief
Generic Name
Arthritis Pain Relief
Active Ingredient
Histamine DihydrochlorideCategory
Standardized Pollen Allergenic Extract [EPC]
Variants
1
Different strengths and dosage forms
| Strength | Form | Route | NDC |
|---|---|---|---|
| .025 g/100g | CREAM | TOPICAL | 69842-301 |
Detailed information about Cvs Arthritis Pain Relief
This page is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Before using any prescription or over-the-counter medication for Cvs Arthritis Pain Relief, you must consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Histamine Dihydrochloride is a diagnostic agent and therapeutic adjunct used primarily as a positive control in skin testing and as an immunotherapy component. It acts as a potent histamine receptor agonist to evaluate or modulate immune responses.
Histamine Dihydrochloride is used in children for allergy testing. The procedure is identical to adult skin testing, though the number of test sites may be limited based on the child's size and tolerance. It is not generally approved for therapeutic use in pediatric oncology populations.
No specific dose adjustments are typically required for diagnostic skin testing due to minimal systemic absorption. For systemic therapeutic use, caution is advised as metabolites are renally cleared.
Use with caution in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction, as the liver is a primary site for histamine metabolism.
Elderly patients may have reduced skin reactivity; healthcare providers may need to interpret skin test results with caution.
This medication is administered exclusively by healthcare professionals in a clinical setting.
As this is typically administered in a clinical setting for diagnostic purposes, missed doses are handled by rescheduling the clinical appointment.
Signs of systemic overdose (rare with skin testing but possible with injection) include:
In the event of a systemic reaction, emergency medications such as epinephrine must be administered immediately.
> Important: Follow your healthcare provider's dosing instructions. Do not adjust your dose without medical guidance.
In the context of skin testing, the following are expected and indicate a 'normal' positive reaction:
> Warning: Stop the procedure and alert medical staff immediately if you experience any of these:
Because Histamine Dihydrochloride is typically used as a one-time diagnostic tool or in short therapeutic cycles, long-term side effects are rare. However, repeated systemic exposure in therapeutic settings may lead to chronic flushing or gastrointestinal upset.
No FDA black box warnings are currently issued for Histamine Dihydrochloride when used as a diagnostic skin test reagent. However, it must always be administered in a facility equipped to treat anaphylaxis.
Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider.
Histamine Dihydrochloride is a potent biological agent. It should only be administered by trained professionals in settings where emergency resuscitation equipment (including oxygen, epinephrine, and IV fluids) is immediately available.
No FDA black box warnings for Histamine Dihydrochloride.
Patients who experience dizziness or systemic symptoms after administration should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until symptoms have completely resolved.
Alcohol can increase the effects of histamine and may worsen flushing or headaches. It is advised to avoid alcohol consumption for 24 hours before and after administration.
For diagnostic use, there is no withdrawal syndrome. For therapeutic use in AML, discontinuation must be managed by an oncologist to avoid compromising the treatment protocol.
> Important: Discuss all your medical conditions with your healthcare provider before starting Histamine Dihydrochloride.
Histamine Dihydrochloride is used to create a lab result (the skin test). Its presence in the system does not typically interfere with standard blood chemistry or hematology panels, other than potentially causing a transient increase in white blood cell activity in the localized area.
> Important: Tell your doctor about ALL medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
There is no significant cross-sensitivity with other common drugs, as histamine is an endogenous (naturally occurring in the body) substance. However, patients sensitive to preservatives in the solution (like phenol) should be identified.
> Important: Your healthcare provider will evaluate your complete medical history before prescribing Histamine Dihydrochloride.
Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Histamine Dihydrochloride should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Systemic histamine can theoretically stimulate uterine contractions.
It is unknown if Histamine Dihydrochloride is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, caution should be exercised. However, for diagnostic skin testing, the systemic dose is virtually zero.
Approved for use as a diagnostic control in children. Safety and effectiveness for therapeutic (oncology) use in children have not been established.
Clinical studies have shown that skin reactivity to histamine may decrease with age. Providers may need to use a higher concentration (10 mg/mL instead of 1 mg/mL) to achieve a valid positive control in patients over 65.
No specific dose adjustment is required for diagnostic use. In systemic therapeutic use, the rate of metabolite clearance may be reduced, necessitating closer monitoring for side effects.
Since the liver metabolizes histamine via the HNMT pathway, patients with severe hepatic impairment should be monitored for prolonged systemic effects if the drug is injected.
> Important: Special populations require individualized medical assessment.
Histamine Dihydrochloride is a direct-acting agonist at H1 and H2 receptors.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Bioavailability | 100% (Subcutaneous); Negligible (Epicutaneous) |
| Protein Binding | Low |
| Half-life | 2–5 minutes |
| Tmax | ~15 minutes (Subcutaneous) |
| Metabolism | Hepatic/Tissue (DAO and HNMT enzymes) |
| Excretion | Renal (>90% as metabolites) |
Histamine Dihydrochloride is classified as a diagnostic biological and a histamine agonist. It is the gold standard positive control for allergy testing.
Common questions about Cvs Arthritis Pain Relief
Histamine Dihydrochloride is primarily used as a diagnostic tool in allergy skin testing to serve as a 'positive control.' This means doctors use it to ensure your skin is reacting normally to histamine before testing you for specific allergies like pollen or pet dander. If your skin doesn't react to this drug, other allergy test results may be unreliable. In some countries, it is also used as a therapeutic injection to help maintain remission in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). It is always administered by a healthcare professional in a controlled medical environment.
The most common side effects are localized to the area where the drug was applied or injected. These include intense itching, redness, and the formation of a small, raised bump called a wheal. These reactions are actually the intended effect during a diagnostic test and usually fade within an hour. Some patients may experience a mild headache or a feeling of warmth. Serious systemic side effects are very rare when the drug is used for skin testing.
It is generally recommended to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after receiving Histamine Dihydrochloride. Alcohol can interfere with the body's ability to break down histamine, potentially leading to increased side effects like flushing, headaches, or rapid heartbeat. Furthermore, alcohol can affect the accuracy of the skin test results. Always inform your doctor if you have consumed alcohol recently. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions based on the purpose of your treatment.
The safety of Histamine Dihydrochloride during pregnancy has not been fully established, and it is classified as FDA Category C. This means it should only be used if the potential benefits clearly outweigh the risks to the developing fetus. There is a theoretical concern that systemic histamine could cause uterine contractions. For simple allergy testing, many doctors prefer to wait until after pregnancy unless the testing is urgent. Discuss the risks and benefits with your obstetrician and allergist before proceeding.
When used for skin testing, Histamine Dihydrochloride works very rapidly. A visible red 'flare' and a raised 'wheal' typically begin to appear within 1 to 2 minutes of application. The reaction usually reaches its peak size within 15 to 20 minutes. This quick onset allows clinicians to interpret allergy test results during a single office visit. The reaction then gradually subsides over the next hour.
Since Histamine Dihydrochloride is typically administered as a one-time diagnostic test or in specific clinical cycles by a doctor, there is no risk of 'withdrawal' or need to taper the medication. It does not stay in your system for long, as it is metabolized within minutes. If you are receiving it as part of an oncology treatment plan, you must follow your oncologist's schedule precisely. Stopping a therapeutic cycle early could affect the success of your cancer treatment. Always consult your medical team before changing any treatment plan.
Because this medication is administered by healthcare professionals in a clinic or hospital, a 'missed dose' usually means a missed appointment. If you miss your scheduled skin test or treatment session, contact your doctor's office immediately to reschedule. For diagnostic testing, the timing is flexible, but for cancer immunotherapy, maintaining the schedule is more critical. Do not attempt to administer this medication to yourself at home. Your provider will ensure you receive the correct dose at your next visit.
There is no clinical evidence to suggest that Histamine Dihydrochloride causes weight gain. It is used in very small amounts for diagnostic purposes and is cleared from the body extremely quickly. Even when used systemically in cancer treatment, weight gain is not a recognized side effect of this specific drug. If you notice unusual weight changes, they are likely due to other factors or medications. Discuss any concerns about weight with your healthcare provider.
Histamine Dihydrochloride has significant interactions with several types of medications, particularly antihistamines like Benadryl or Claritin. These drugs block the effects of histamine and will make skin tests appear negative even if you have allergies. Other drugs like antidepressants and certain blood pressure medications (beta-blockers) can also interfere with the test or the safety of the procedure. You must provide your doctor with a complete list of all medications and supplements you are taking. They will tell you which ones to stop taking before your test.
Histamine Dihydrochloride is available as a generic diagnostic solution for skin testing. It is also sold under various brand names depending on the country and the specific medical use. For example, Ceplene is a brand name used for its therapeutic application in oncology in some regions. Because it is a professional-use-only product, you cannot purchase it at a standard pharmacy. The cost and availability will depend on your clinical setting and insurance coverage.
Other drugs with the same active ingredient (Histamine Dihydrochloride)