What are antihistamine shots, and what are the medical uses for this type of drug? Antihistamine shots are prescription medications that are used for the rapid medical treatment of conditions such as: Allergic reactions (a severe allergy to a substance) Anxiety Nausea Vomiting Motion sickness To induce sedation when injected into a patient Antihistamine shots...
Generic drug: rilonacept Brand name: Arcalyst What is Arcalyst (rilonacept), and how does it work? Arcalyst is a prescription medicine called an interleukin-1 (IL-1) blocker. Arcalyst is used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), including Familial Cold Auto-inflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle Wells Syndrome (MWS)....
What are nasal decongestants? What are the uses of nasal decongestants? Nasal decongestants are used to treat nasal congestion. Nasal decongestants are applied to nasal passages to reduce congestion and discomfort due to allergies and the common cold. Decongestants cause blood vessels in the nasal passages to shrink (vasoconstrict). Vasoconstriction reduces nasal congestion by preventing...
What’s the Difference Between Antihistamines and Corticosteroids? Antihistamines and corticosteroids are used to treat allergy symptoms such as itching, hives, skin rashes, and itchy or watery eyes. Antihistamines also may be used to treat motion sickness, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), and anxiety. Corticosteroids are also used for their strong anti-inflammatory effects to treat conditions such as...
What are oral antihistamines? The term, antihistamine generally is used for medications used to treat various symptoms believed to be caused by histamine, for example, as part of the common cold, including: Congestion Runny nose Sneezing Itchy throat Hives Skin rashes Itching Itchy or watery eyes (A second type of antihistamine is used primarily for...
What is hydroxyzine (Vistaril)? Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties that is used to treat allergic reactions. What brand names are available for hydroxyzine? Vistaril is the brand name available for hydroxyzine in the US. Atarax and Hy-Pam25, Orgatrax brands have been discontinued and are no longer available in the US....
What is EpiPen, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? EpiPen is an auto-injectable epinephrine-containing device used for self-administration during life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Epinephrine, the medicine contained in EpiPen, is an excitatory chemical naturally made by our bodies. Epinephrine stimulates alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors found throughout the body. When injected during an...
What is chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Deconamine was a brand name medication that contains two different drugs, an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). The antihistamine effects of chlorpheniramine account for its effect of reducing allergy symptoms. The decongestant action of pseudoephedrine is a result of blood vessel constriction...
What is fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine? What is Allegra-D used for? Allegra-D is a combination of an antihistamine (fexofenadine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). Fexofenadine is an oral, "second generation" antihistamine that is used to treat the signs and symptoms of allergy and hives. It is similar to the other second generation antihistamines loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec)...
What is loratadine/pseudoephedrine? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Loratadine/pseudoephedrine is a combination of two drugs, an antihistamine (loratadine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). Loratadine is a long-acting antihistamine that blocks the actions of histamine that causes some of the symptoms of allergic reactions. Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells (mast cells) and attaches to...