The first choice of anti-allergic drugs

I believe many people have experienced allergies. Allergies are very uncomfortable. Some people will experience itching all over the body, while others will develop red rashes. No matter which symptom it is, it is very uncomfortable. Some people's health deteriorates due to allergies, and they have to take anti-allergic drugs to prevent it. However, many medicines are antibiotics, so you must choose better ones. Next, let’s find out what is the first choice of anti-allergic medicine?

(1) Cetirizine

The drug has trade names such as Sicovir, Cytrazan, Sterling, and Zyrtec, etc. It has become the main drug among the second-generation antihistamines due to its significant efficacy and fewer side effects. It is also the most commonly used antihistamine in China. Cetirizine is mainly used clinically to treat various allergic skin diseases, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

Its side effects mainly include mild sedation, dry mouth, and occasionally headache and dizziness. The cardiotoxicity of cetirizine is significantly less than that of terfenadine, astemizole, and loratadine.

(2) Loratadine

Trade names: Bevitan and Claritin. It is another second-generation antihistamine currently commonly used in my country. This product can be taken on an empty stomach. The incidence of central nervous system depressant side effects is very low, and the anticholine effect is also mild. Occasionally, there may be dizziness, headache, fatigue, and dry mouth, and the side effects on the digestive system are mild.

Recent studies have confirmed that loratadine, like other second-generation antihistamines, can occasionally cause cardiac side effects and should be taken seriously.

(3) Desloratadine

The trade name is Fubiting, and it is the first third-generation antihistamine approved for marketing in my country. Its pharmacological action is similar to that of loratadine, but it is more effective and has fewer side effects. It can be used clinically to treat various allergic diseases. Compared with the first- and second-generation antihistamines, it has the advantages of strong effect, rapid onset, long duration of action, and low toxic and side effects. Due to the lack of clinical data, it is not recommended for use in children under 12 years old, and should also be used with caution in breastfeeding and pregnant women.

(4) Levorotirizine

Since it is the levorotatory form of cetirizine, its pharmacological action is similar to that of cetirizine, but with fewer side effects. It can be used to treat various allergic diseases and has the advantages of rapid onset of action, strong and lasting effect, and few side effects. There are no central nervous system side effects such as sedation and drowsiness; no arrhythmogenic effects of second-generation antihistamines (such as terfenadine, astemizole, etc.) were found. The United States classifies it as a Class B drug that is relatively safe for use by pregnant women. It can be used for pregnant and lactating women, and it is also safe for clinical use in children (including infants).

(5) Fexofenadine

Trade name: Fexofenadine, Fexofenadine has no side effects such as drowsiness and sleepiness. Side effects at regular doses include dry mouth, dizziness, and occasionally headache and nausea. Fexofenadine was not found to have cardiotoxicity, anticholine effect, or α1-receptor blocking effect. Currently, fexofenadine is classified as Class C, a less safe drug for use during pregnancy. Pregnant and lactating women should use it with caution.

(6) Mizolastine

Trade name: Mizolastine. Mizolastine penetrates the blood-brain barrier less, does not cause obvious drowsiness or sleepiness, and no cardiac side effects have been found so far. Ketoconazole has a weak inhibitory effect on the metabolism of mizolastine, and no interaction was observed between ketoconazole and erythromycin. Mizolastine has no anticholeretic effects and does not cause weight gain. However, it should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction caused by cirrhosis, and it should not be used in pregnant women, lactating women and children.

(7) Ketotifen

The pharmacological effects of ketotifen are relatively complex. Ketotifen can be used for various allergic diseases including asthma. Ketotifen has a definite anti-allergic effect, but its central nervous system depressant side effects seriously affect its clinical use. Its drowsiness or fatigue can reduce the quality of life of patients with allergies. Usually after 1-4 weeks of continuous use, the side effects of central nervous system depression can be significantly reduced or even gradually disappear.

No other serious side effects have been found with long-term use of ketotifen, and it has no effect on liver and kidney function and peripheral blood cell counts. It is not easy to develop drug resistance. Generally, other anti-asthma drugs can be gradually withdrawn after 6 weeks of continuous oral ketotifen, and no rebound phenomenon has been found after discontinuation of treatment after long-term treatment. The comprehensive evaluation of this drug is that it is an anti-allergic drug with central nervous system inhibitory effect, safe, effective and low-cost.

(8) Acrivastine

Trade names: Xinminle and Xinminling. This product is mainly used for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic skin diseases. This drug has fewer side effects, with only a very small number of patients experiencing drowsiness, and it may occasionally cause a rash.

(9) Clemastine

The trade name is clemastine fumarate, which can be used to treat various allergic diseases. Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache and dry mouth.

(10) Deschlorohydroxyzine

Trade name: Climazine. It can be used to treat various allergic diseases. Occasional side effects include drowsiness and dry mouth.