Antihistamine
antihistamine
When a person gets an allergic reaction, the histamine level in his body raises. So, to control the level of histamine, antihistamine is given. Antihistamine is injected directly into the blood stream, this will reduce the level of histamine. Antihistamine is available in different forms like eye-drops, injections, nasal spray, tablets and liquids.
- Antihistamine eye-drops are given to people if allergic conjunctivitis occurs. Antazoline (Ainistine-Privine) is one of the eye-drop which contains antihistamine. Before using any medicine you discuss the allergies you possess with your doctor.
- Chlorpheniramine (Aller-chlor, Haymine, Piriton, Phenetron) is an antihistamine injection available to get control over reactions like hay fever, perennial allergic rhinitis, anaphylactic shock.
- Azelastine (Rhinolast) is another antihistamine available in the form of nasal spray, azelastine can be used to get control over hay fever.
- There are many different antihistamine drugs available in the form of tablets and liquids which could help to reduce the antihistamine levels. Name of some of the medicines are: Acrivastine , astemizole, azatadine, brompheniramine, cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dimethindine maleate, hydroxyzine hydrochloride, ketotifen, loratadine, mebhydroline, mequitazine, oxatomide, pheniramine, terfenadine, trimeprazine, triprolidine etc. All the antihistamines mentioned above are used for different purposes. It can be used for allergic reactions like hay fever,itchy skin conditions, urticaria, conjunctivitis, nausea and vomiting, general allergic reactions and many more.
Note: Please do not take these medicines on your own. Please consult your doctor before consuming it. Some people also have allergy to drugs, so in such cases your doctor will prescribe you an appropriate medicine to suit your body.
It is very rare but there are also some people who are allergic to antihistamine. It is very strange but true. If a person gets an allergic attack, in such scenario the histamine level in the body increases. Antihistamines are used for reducing the level of histamines. But if the person himself is having antihistamines allergy then it becomes very difficult for doctors to get control on the histamine level.
How does antihistamine work?
Histamines are released by mast cells. Histamines normally act on capillaries, nerve-endings and other cells that have histamine receptors. Antihistamines starts blocking the mast cells to control the level of histamines. Once the level of histamine is controlled then the antihistamine gets fused with the histamine to neutralize the allergic reaction. Some of the advanced antihistamine drugs like terfenadine also impose a limit on histamine release from mast cells.
Antihistamine and side-effects
Previously the antihistamines used to cross into the brain. Because of this the person looses the ability to react fast. Some people felt dowsy, so it was advised not to drive or operate any machinery for few hours after taking antihistamine dose.
Some of the other sufferings and side effects caused because of the antihistamine dosage are as follows:
- Blur vision, difficult to spot the object. And not able to figure out the speed and distance of a moving object. Eye infection is one of the side effect of antihistamine.
- Some people feel pain while urination as a side effect of antihistamine.
- Some people face digestive problems as antihistamine side effect.
- Skin rashes and dry mouth are some other side effects of antihistamine.
Now with new generation antihistamines, it doesn’t cause drowsiness but there are some side effects being observed that are as follows:
- People face constipation problem as side-effect of antihistamine
- Some people observe change in appetite (increase or decrease) as antihistamine side-effect.
- Difficulty and pain during urination, digestive upsets, nasal irritation, nausea, headache, dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness, skin rash, slowed reaction time, taste problem, weight gain, irritability, irregular heartbeat, impotence etc.
- In children, antihistamine side-effects like unusual jumpiness, nervousness, nightmares, restlessness, irritability etc are seen. The above mentioned symptoms are still applicable to children.
