Antihistamines are a class of chemical agents often used in the management of allergies. They treat the nasal, skin, and gastric irritations caused by the body’s histamine receptors. These medications can be taken as an oral tablet, nasal spray, eye drop, and injection. In this study, common over-the-counter antihistamine tablets were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. The aim of the research is to use Raman spectroscopy, as well as density functional (DFT) calculations, to characterize antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec). The difference in the functional groups of each allergy drug was analyzed through its vibrational bands, showing both wavelengths common in most antihistamines and unique wavelength in a specific antihistamine.

Analysis of over-the-counter antihistamines using Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations

2019 Spring National Meeting

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