Effects of two antihistaminic compounds (mequitazine, dexchlorpheniramine) on sleep. Sleep distorsion by antihistaminics.

Twelve healthy subjects have been given mequitazine (two 10-milligramme doses a day), dexchlorpheniramine (two 12-milligramme doses a day) and a placebo for seven days, within a cross-over balanced design. If dexchlorpheniramine induces a significant sleep distortion (slowed REM sleep cycle and decreased amount of REM sleep), no similar trend occured with mequitazine, a result that could be dose or time related.