Anyone have a good mnemonic for 1st and 2nd gen antihistamines?

[Blesbok]

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[CityDweller]

this is not much but i hope it helps. the 2nd generation that are less sedating:

Desloratadine, loratadine, fexofenadine, cetirizine

Don't Let u Fall aSleep

 

[myry]

this works for me:

you must first chant "dimen, diphen, chlorphen" before you fall asleep.

so first gen. is dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine...and these are more sedating

 

[NGwill87]

2nd generation: nonsedating, keep you A-wake, end in A-dine (must stay awake to dine)
- DesloratADINE
- FexofenADINE
- LoratADINE

Also, cold air helps to stay awake, so "CET (set) the AC to stay awake"
- CETirizine
- ACivastine

Be careful with the H2 blockers which end in -IDINE

 

[bassvp]

Not that you have much time to watch TV, but it's helpful to remember that anything marketed currently is 2nd generation and non-sedating:

Claritin (loratadine)/Clarinex (desloratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra (fexofenadine)

 

[mdquestion]

I'd just try and memorize the 1st gen. And just remember that the second gen are non-sedating and usually end in -adine.

The only time I've really seen this come up on an exam (1) switching a patient from a 1st generation to a 2nd generation because of drowsiness (2) avoiding using 1st generation drugs with benzo's because they can have additive sedative effects.