To increase understanding of the effect of H1 antihistamines on the immediate response to nasal challenge with antigen, we performed two double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studies using cetirizine and terfenadine. The subjects underwent nasal challenge with antigen after premedication with either cetirizine (20 mg QD for two days, n = 10), terfenadine (60 mg BID for 1 week, n = 12), or placebo for equivalent periods of time. We monitored the response to challenge by counting the number of sneezes and by measuring the levels of inflammatory substances in recovered nasal lavages. Compared with placebo, both antihistamines significantly reduced sneezing and the levels of recovered albumin and TAME esterase activity, suggesting that both reduced the expected increase in vascular permeability. With cetirizine, there was also a reduction in the levels of LTC4 (not measured in terfenadine studies) but not in those of recovered histamine and prostaglandin D2. These data suggest that cetirizine did not affect mast cell mediator release, that histamine release is due to the direct action of antigen stimulation and that leukotrienes are generated by cells in addition to mast cells. With terfenadine, there were significant reductions in the levels of histamine and kinins (not measured in cetirizine study) seen after nasal challenge with antigen. The reduction in kinins most likely reflects alteration in vascular permeability, whereas the effect on histamine presumably reflects inhibition of mast cell activation. When combined, these experiments demonstrate effects of H1 antihistamines on histamine release beyond those usually described, as well as differences between drugs within a single classification.