What Are The Various Types Of Allergy Drugs Available On The Market
Medicine is a field
that has stretched itself in several directions,
and one of these directions includes research
for anti allergies. This is an important direction
for one to focus on because of the fact that there
are quite a few people who suffer from different
types of allergies, and these can be quite uncomfortable.
In order to relieve one from his or her pain
or discomfort, it is important to know what types
of anti-allergies are available on the market
today.
By knowing what types of drugs are available,
one may be able to decide which ones best suit
a person. Reading the details on the containers
is also important because it can help one understand
what types of side effects one can possibly have.
This is actually a very important step because
it is pointless for one to take an anti allergy
drug and then discover it has side effects that
might be as bad as the allergy a person already
has.
Antihistamines
As the name suggests, it is obvious that this
drug is an anti-histamine. Histamine is known
to be released at the time of an allergic reaction.
In relation to this, anti histamines are used
to treat allergic reactions.
Quite often, they are associated with decongestants,
and are available freely in the form of Actifed,
Benadryl, Contac, Drixoral, Tavist-D, Triaminic.
Through prescription one may get this drug in
the form of Allegra, Clarinex, Zyrtec, etc. Antihistamine
is also available in the form of nasal sprays
which can be used to treat allergic rhinitis such
as Astelin.
In addition to this, Antihistamine eye drops
can also be employed in order to treat itchy eyes
that commonly occur with allergies. Naphcon-A
is an example.
Decongestants
If a person has problems inhaling due to allergies
or sinusitis decongestants may be one solution.
These are in the form of eye drops as well. Their
job is to decrease redness of the eyes that may
be due to conjunctivitis. Albalon is an example,
and it works on the principle of inhibiting the
supply of blood through constriction of blood
vessels.
This helps to reduce swelling and aids its other
actions to the same thing. As much as one is advised
to use these drops one is also cautioned against
some nasal decongestants because if they are used
for more than the recommended 3-4 days, a person
may have problems. These problems consist of the
symptoms of the allergy returning.
Corticosteroids
Itching and swelling is commonly associated with
allergic reactions. Corticosteroids are used to
curtail this, and corticosteroid nasal sprays
that may be used for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis
are available in the form of Flonase, Nasalide,
Nasocort, Nasonex, Rhinocort.
Aside from these, there are topical corticosteroid
creams that are used for hives, dermatitis, and
allergic reactions of stings caused by insects.
Inhaled corticosteroids for asthma are also available.
It must be noted that corticosteroids in liquid
forms are used in severe cases of asthma.
Cromolyn Sodium / Nedocromil Sodium
These are anti-inflammatory drugs in the
form of nasal spray that are used to prevent allergic
rhinitis. Cromolyn nasal spray is soft and gentle
to use and is effective within a few days of use.
The eye drop version of this medicine is used
to combat itchy and bloodshot eyes. For treating
asthma, inhaled nedocromil sodium is effective
in reducing swelling.
Epinephrine
This is often used to treat emergency cases of
insect bites. It is available in the form of a
self-injectable syringe. It helps to constrict
blood vessels in the mucous secreting areas as
well as the skin, thereby promoting blood pressure
and bring all functions back to normal. It must
be noted that Epinephrine is an antihistamine.
The above mentioned anti-allergy drugs are being
improved as research continues, and there are
more of these types of medicines being produced
in order to have better effects on allergies. |
