Histamine, acting predominantly via the H₁-receptor, is an important mediator of the symptoms of allergy. H₁-antihistamines, which stabilize the receptor in its inactive form, are the treatment of choice for some chronic allergic conditions. Ebastine is a well-established secondgeneration oral H₁-antihistamine that is administered once daily at a dose of 10-20 mg and is available both as a standard tablet and as a fast-dissolving tablet that disintegrates in the mouth. Ebastine has been shown to relieve symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis or urticaria in multiple clinical trials. In addition to its antihistamine effects, the drug has modulating effects on the allergic inflammatory process, thus potentially explaining its beneficial effect on nasal obstruction in some patients. Ebastine is generally well tolerated at recommended doses and is one of the lowest-risk antihistamines with respect to adverse cognitive/psychomotor effects, as confirmed by decades of pharmacovigilance. New long-term data confirm its efficacy and tolerability during up to 1 year of treatment in patients with chronic urticaria.

Key words: Allergic rhinitis, Urticaria, Ebastine, Antihistamines, H1-receptor antagonists