Introduction
For the medicinal therapy of allergies, various active ingredients are used to suppress different components of the allergic reaction. One of these is the antihistamines. They are intended to prevent the release of the messenger substance histamine, which plays an important role in the reaction of the immune system. Allergies can also be treated with preparations containing cortisone. To prevent symptoms such as a severe circulatory collapse or shortness of breath, adrenaline and bronchodilators (i.e. drugs that dilate the airways) are also used in an emergency.
What groups of drugs are there?
For the therapy of allergies, different groups of drugs are used, which are chosen according to the symptoms. So-called H1 and H2 receptor antagonists are drugs that counteract the messenger substance histamine. Histamine normally docks to the receptors and thus triggers a further reaction of the immune system to the allergen.
If this receptor is blocked, the effect of histamine cannot unfold. Glucocorticoids are also used. These cortisone-containing drugs have an inhibitory effect on the immune system and thus alleviate the immune response.
Spasmolytics are also used, especially for gastrointestinal tract complaints. These drugs relieve the spasms in the stomach and intestines. Active substances against nausea, so-called antiemetics, are also often helpful.
If there is an additional systemic reaction to an allergen, allergy sufferers often suffer from shortness of breath because their airways suddenly become narrower. Medications such as adrenaline and beta-2 sympathomimetics are effective against this. They lead to the airways being widened again.
In addition, oxygen is usually administered. Crystalloid solutions can also be used to stabilize the circulation. They are well suited to get enough fluid back into the circulation.
Mast cell stabilizers
The mast cell stabilizers mainly counteract the release of inflammatory messengers such as histamine. Thus they intervene in the development of the allergy even before histamine is released. Mast cells belong to the cells of the immune system, which play a role particularly in the allergy development.
When they receive certain signals from messenger substances, they release histamine, which then provides the information for the allergic reaction throughout the body. The mast cell stabilizers act on these mast cells, especially on the cell membrane. By stabilizing this outer skin of the cells, they prevent the substances from being released from inside the cell.
They are typically used in hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic itching can also be an indication for mast cell stabilizers. The active ingredients currently being prescribed are ketotifen, lodoxamide, cromoglicic acid and nedocromil. Mast cell stabilizing properties are also used in some combination preparations together with antihistamines. These topics may also be of interest to you:
- Immune System
- Allergy emergency set
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