Medicines against allergies
Antihistamines inhibit the signal substance histamine, which is mainly involved in triggering an allergic reaction. Simple allergies such as hay fever or mild allergic reactions to insect bites can be controlled well with antihistamines. Antihistamines can theoretically have far-reaching side effects, since histamine has functions almost everywhere in the body.
However, they are usually well tolerated, in addition to causing fatigue. Widespread and prescription-free representatives of antihistamines are, for example, cetirizine and dimetinden (Fenisitl®). You will find detailed information under Antihistamines, Cetirizine and Fenistil®.
An emergency set for allergic shocks, so-called anaphylactic shocks, does not belong in everyone’s medicine chest. However, if a family member has a known severe allergy, e.g. to food such as peanuts or fish, an appropriate emergency kit should always be available. It makes sense that all persons living in the household are familiar with the use of the set for emergencies.
Anaphylaxis emergency kits usually contain an adrenaline injector (“adrenaline pen”), cortisone and an antihistamine. The declaration of use and the prescription should be made by a medical specialist! You can find detailed information under Allergy Emergency Kit.
The therapy of bronchial asthma is very extensive and is carried out according to a step-by-step scheme with many different medications, depending on how severe the disease is. Therefore, no general recommendations can be given for the home pharmacy, the medication should be taken individually by the treating specialist. Normally, however, patients with mild to moderate asthma always have an asthma spray at hand for the acute situation.
This contains a medication that expands the bronchial tubes and thereby relieves the symptoms. Typically, this is the active substance salbutamol or a related substance. You can find detailed information under Salbutamol.
Other medicines for your medicine chest
Nitroglycerin spray is a medication for absolute emergency situations and is therefore more likely to be found on ambulances. It has a strong vasodilating effect and is used to treat symptoms such as angina pectoris (e.g.B. in the context of a heart attack) or blood pressure derailments. Therefore, patients with poorly adjusted blood pressure occasionally have a nitro spray at home to counteract a blood pressure derailment in an emergency situation. You can find detailed information under Nitroglycerin.
