Allergy > Treating Allergy > Various Types of Allergy Medications

Various Types of Allergy Medications

There are several types of allergy medications readily available for your consumption. The trick is to know which type of drug is highly suitable for your allergies. The following are the various types of allergy medications:

Leukotriene modifiers or generally known as Montelukast or Singulair are type of medications used to prevent both the onset of nasal and asthma related allergy symptoms. Leukotriene modifiers work by inhibiting leukotrienes, which the immune system releases during the occurrence of an allergic reaction. This type of drug does work in the process by which it constricts the airways on the lungs. Leukotriene modifiers are highly efficient when utilized before an allergic reaction happens, because these leukotrienes act to stop a certain chemical process in the allergic reaction, which in turn prohibit various types of leukotrienes from forming inside the body. Leukotriene modifiers are usually administered, per orem or orally, in the form of a pill, which is taken daily or in some instances several times daily. Common side effects of this type of medication often include having an ear infection, experiencing headaches and sore throat in children and having upper respiratory tract infections in adults. Other effects could be psychological like experiencing aggression, irritability, insomnia, anxiousness, depression, experiencing having hallucinations, suicidal behavior, and having suicidal ideations.

Antihistamines on the other hand, are those types of medications that stop histamines, which cause the vast array of symptoms that deals with allergies. Histamines are usually released within the bloodstream and most often than not, these histamines are consequently released, but are generally prohibited from doing their normal activities in the process. This type of medications is usually taken before an allergic reaction occurs so that it can ultimately prevent various symptoms from occurring, and most of the time, antihistamines do lessen the gravity of symptoms. Antihistamines are usually available as eye drops, in liquid form, in the form of pills and nasal sprays. People who tend to suffer from allergic rhinitis or hay fever, hives and allergic conjunctivitis often use antihistamines. The following are general subtypes of antihistamines:

• Nasal sprays often alleviate sinus congestion, having postnasal drip, experiencing having both an itchy or runny nose, and sneezing. Examples of antihistamine nasal sprays do include dopatadine or Patanase, and azelastim ir Astepro or Astelin. Common side effects are experiencing having a dry mouth, nasal burning, nausea, and headaches, having a runny nose, fatigue or drowsiness, dizziness, and sneezing.
• Oral antihistamines like those in liquid and pill form minimizes and often alleviates some symptoms like having watery eyes, experiencing having runny nose, having itchy eyes, swelling, and hives. Examples of oral antihistamines do include cetrizine (Zyrtec), loratidine (Claritin), and clemastine (Tavist). Some side effects include drowsiness and experiencing having dry eyes, but diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor – Trimeton) or those older versions of antihistamines tend to be more severe in causing drowsiness. Great caution is highly advised when taking antihistamines.
• Eye drops tend to be added with other medications like decongestants or mast cell stabilizers. This subtype of antihistamine minimizes swollen eyes, itching and redness. Antihistamine eye drops are usually administered several instances during the day as it is very short acting in nature. Examples include naphazoline (Visine – H and Opcon – A), ketotifen (Alaway and Zaditor), omedastine (Emadine), and dopatadine (Patamol). Some side effects include experiencing a burning sensation, red eyes, experiencing headaches, and having watery eyes.
  

Corticosteroids are medications, which lessens the occurrence of inflammation related to symptoms like sneezing, experiencing nasal stuffiness, and having a runny nose. This type of drug act by strengthening the body's ability to battle the production of mucous secretions, swelling, and the inflammation present during an allergic reaction. Corticosteroids are generally available as inhalers, topical creams, nasal sprays, pills, and in the form of injections. Corticosteroids are highly efficient when taken everyday even without the presence of symptoms. Its full effect is reached on a one to two week basis. The following are subtypes of corticosteroids:

• Topical skin creams often alleviate both the itching and scaling from atopic dermatitis or eczema. Examples include triamcinolone (Kenalog) and hydrocortisone (Cortaid). Common side effects are discoloration and skin irritation.
• Oral corticosteroids are generally used in the treatment of major symptoms caused by most types of allergic medications. Examples include prednisolone (Prelone) and prednisone (Prednisone Intensol). Side effects occur when using oral corticosteroids for a long duration. These side effects are muscle weakness, osteoporosis, delayed of growth in children and cataracts.
• Eye drops are used to alleviate symptoms such as itchy, watery and red eyes often caused by allergic conjunctivitis and hay fever. Examples include prednisolone (Pred Forte), dexamethasone (Maxidex), and fluoromethalone (FML). This subtype of corticosteroid often causes blurring of vision, having glaucoma, some eye infections, and cataracts.
• Nasal sprays often cause sneezing, nasal stuffiness, and having runny and itchy nose. Examples of this corticosteroid are beclomethasone, triamcinolone, flunosolide, budesonide, mometasone, and fluticasone. Side effects do include some nasal irritation and nose bleeds, unpleasant taste or smell.
  Inhaled corticosteroids relieve symptoms of asthma caused by allergens. Examples of inhaled corticosteroids are budesonide, fluticasone, triamcinolone, and flunisolide. Some side effects are headache, hoarseness, cough, and in some cases infection in the mouth.
  

Decongestants are utilized in the immediate, but temporary relief or alleviation from both sinus and nasal congestion. Decongestants are usually available in liquid form and pills, in the form of sprays and eye drops. The following are subtypes of decongestants:

• Eye drops can alleviate symptoms like itchy and red eyes. Examples of decongestant eye drops are cetrahydrozoline (Clear Eyes and Visine). Side effects do include some impairment to the blood vessels when used in long duration and consistent eye redness.
• Oral decongestants in liquid or pill form ease both sinus and nasal congestion from hay fever. Example of oral decongestant includes pseudoephedrine. Oral decongestants often cause irregular or fast heartbeat, irritability, insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, headache, increased blood pressure and tremors.
• Nasal sprays ease both sinus and nasal congestion. Examples of decongestant nasal sprays include phenylephrine and oxymetazoline or afrin. Some side effects include stinging, burning or dryness inside the nose, sneezing, and having a runny nose. Overuse of nasal decongestant sprays can cause insomnia, dizziness, irregular or fast heartbeat, irritability, anxiety, headaches, increased blood pressure, and tremors.
  

Mast cell stabilizers on the other hand, are the drug of choice in treating congestion, having watery eyes, sneezing, and it is also efficient in the treatment of mild to moderate inflammation happening or occurring in the bronchial tubes. Mast cell stabilizers inhibit mast cells from producing histamine and other various chemicals, which causes allergic symptoms. This type of drug presents lesser side effects than antihistamines, but mast cell stabilizers generally tends to utilize larger doses and takes a lot of time for it to kick off. Mast cell stabilizers may also be not that efficient in alleviating symptoms. This medication is generally available in the form of nasal sprays, eye drops or as specialized calibrated dose inhalers. Mast cell stabilizers are readily available in prescription or as an over-the-counter medication.