EFFECTS OF CETIRIZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE ON HUMAN-LYMPHOCYTES IN-VITRO -EVALUATION OF CHROMOSOME-ABERRATIONS AND SISTER-CHROMATID EXCHANGES

The ability of cetirizine dihydrochloride, an antihistaminic agent, to induce chromosome aberrations as well as sister chromatid exchanges ( SCEs) was evaluated in human lymphocyte cultures treated in vitro. The following concentrations were tested: 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200 mu g/ml . The results of our study revealed that cetirizine dihydrochloride is capable of inducing chromosome aberrations, at least at the higher co ncentrations studied, 100 and 200 mu g/ml. The majority of aberrations was of chromatid type. Cetirizine is also a weak inducer of SCEs, Fur ther studies are now warranted in order to define the in vivo cytogene tic activity of cetirizine in humans.