Azelastine
Azelastine is primarily recommended for the treatment of hay fever and related symptoms such as itching eyes, conjunctivitis, runny or stuffy nose. It can be used all year round. Azelastine preparations are freely available in pharmacies as tablets, eye drops and nasal sprays.
One tablet can be taken up to twice a day. One drop of the eye drops is applied to the eye two to four times a day. Of the nasal spray, one spray should be used twice a day.
During treatment with azelastine, occasional side effects such as fatigue or local irritation are to be expected when applied to the eye. Azelastine-containing preparations must not be used together with cetirizine-containing preparations as interactions are to be feared! Available preparations: Allergodil® eye drops/nasal spray/tablets, Vividrin® eye drops/nasal spray
General information on the use of antihistamines
- The intake in tablet form can be taken independently of meals.
- The application period is not limited and can be done as needed.
- Please note that no allergy test (skin test) should be performed during therapy with an antihistamine. The income could obscure or weaken a positive result!
- Antihistamines must not be used if the cold is not of allergic origin.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding, antihistamines should not be used without consulting a doctor! For many preparations there are not yet sufficient data for use during pregnancy and lactation.
Active ingredients such as dimenhydrinate are not suitable for the long-term treatment of morning sickness / vomiting during pregnancy.
Taking antihistamines in quantities above the therapeutically recommended dosage may cause poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning are manifested in varying degrees of severity, including fatigue and tiredness, headaches, ringing in the ears, red, swollen face, constipation or diarrhea, dry mouth, blood pressure fluctuations, muscle tremors and twitching, pupil dilation with sluggish pupil response, blurred vision, and greatly increased body temperature. Extremely high doses lead to coma, heart and circulation failure.
In case of poisoning, a doctor must be consulted immediately, who can take appropriate countermeasures!H2 antihistamines have a different field of application from H1 antihistamines. They reduce the production of stomach acid in the stomach lining and are therefore used to treat stomach acid-related complaints, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers. With the H2 antihistamines, hardly any undesirable effects on other receptor types are to be expected.
Cimetidine (e.g. cimetidine-CT), Ranitidine (e.g. Ranidura® T), Famotidine (e.g. Pepdul®, Famonerton®)Gastrin is a messenger substance produced naturally in the body, which occurs predominantly in the stomach lining.
After gastrin attaches itself to the cell surface of the ECL cells located in the gastric mucosa, these cells release histamine. The released histamine binds to associated receptors (H2-receptors) on the surface of neighboring gastric mucosa cells, the so-called document cells. As a result, these cells produce more gastric acid and release it into the stomach.
H2-antihistamines compete with histamine for the H2-receptors on the surface of the gastrointestinal cells. If the H2 antihistamine binds, the histamine-typical effect is absent and the release of acid into the stomach is reduced. The reduction of gastric acid production is the therapeutic goal in acid-related stomach complaints such as gastric or small intestinal ulcers.
They can also be administered as a preventive measure in the case of already healed ulcers to prevent a relapse. However, they must not be used for nervous stomach problems such as heartburn! Antacids should be used here.
H2-antihistamines are only available on prescription and not without a prescription in a pharmacy. Serious stomach problems require a thorough medical examination! H2-antihistamines are administered in tablet form.
Depending on the doctor’s prescription, they are taken once or twice a day – in the morning with meals and if necessary in the evening before going to bed. The onset of action usually occurs within 1-2 hours. The ulcer pain usually disappears within a few days.
However, treatment should last at least 4 weeks to allow the ulcer to heal. When taking H2-antihistamines, please note that they should not be taken together with anticoagulants such as warfarin, beta-blockers (drugs against high blood pressure) or antacids. H2-antihistamines strengthen the effect of alcohol, so they should not be taken at the same time.
Side effects that have been reported include occasional diarrhea, headache, dizziness, itching and rashes. Famotidine may cause dry mouth, nausea and vomiting.
