The interaction of antihistamines with lecithin monolayers.

The interaction of a series of antihistamines with monolayers of L-alpha-dipalmitoyl lecithin has been examined. An increase in the monolayer surface pressure was noted for monolayers spread on the antihistamine solutions, suggesting penetration of the film by drug molecules. At high surface pressures there was an apparent ejection of drug molecules from the film. The ability of the antihistamines to increase surface pressure was correlated with their surface activity at the air-solution interface. The effect of drug concentration on the magnitude of the surface pressure was examined for diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Application of the Gibbs adsorption equation at low surface compressions indicated an approximate area per molecule for diphenhydramine in the film which was in good agreement with the value previously obtained at the air-solution interface. Preliminary measurements showed that the surface pressure increase was larger in the presence of phosphate buffer at pH 6-8. It was not clear whether this effect was caused by the buffer components or was a pH effect.