Antihistamines & Brain Cancer

Doctors at Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that allergies may protect us from brain tumors, but when we take antihistamines, we could be countering that protection if we are genetically susceptible to brain cancer.

The researchers are not saying, however, that we should all throw out our antihistamines.

The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center's Michael Scheurer says, "There are obviously huge benefits to many people using these drugs and we're not suggesting that simply by taking these drugs you're going to develop a brain tumor."

The researchers say only those who have a family history or other risk of brain cancer should stop taking antihistamines.