Allergic Rhinitis Flashcards
People that have allergic rhinitis will often likely have what?
asthma
What is allergic rhinitis?
- IgE airway condition that occurs due to inhaled allergens and results in mucosal inflammation and airway obstruction
- characterized by nasal symptoms of sneezing, pruritus and discharge
What is the impact of AR?
- fatigue, reduced concentration or loss of productivity
- can be quite significant for some
What are the key facts associated with AR?
- Age (most prevalent in adolescents and young adults, some people grow out of it- onset approx 10 y/o)
- Family history (30% chance for children with one atopic parent - 50% with 2 parents)
- repeated exposure to multiple offending allergens
- presence of other allergic conditions (asthma, atopic dermatitis)
What are the 3 stages of pathophys of allergic rhinitis?
- Sensitization
- 1st contact with inhaled aeroallergen
- IgE produced which binds to mast cells and basophils - Immediate Reaction
- recognition of allergen by IgE bound to mast cells and basophils
- degranulation (release of preformed mediators, histamine, TNF, new formed mediators, leukotrienes, prostaglandins D2 and kinins)
- result in symptoms of sneezing, rhinorrhea, congestion and pruritus
- happens within minutes of re-exposure
- lasts for 30-90 minutes - Late Reaction
- migration of inflammatory cells, eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages and basophils
- symptoms similar to immediate action, but congestion predominates
- occurs 4-8 hours after exposure
Over time, the persistent inflammation is thought to ____ the tissue, decreasing the threshold of allergen needed to produce an immediate response
prime
What are some common occupational allergies?
- seed dust
- woods
- cockroaches
- animal dander
- moulds
What are the common nasal symptoms that are seen with allergic rhinitis?
- frequent, paroxysmal sneezing
- itching of the nose and palate
- anterior watery rhinorrhea
- nasal congestion
What are the common ocular symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis?
- red, irritated eyes with prominent conjunctival blood vessels
- itching or burning that may be intense
- tearing
- stringy or watery discharge
- puffy eyelids- especially in the morning
What are the common facial features that are associated with allergic rhinitis?
- allergic gape (open-mouthed breathing secondary to nasal obstruction)
- allergic salute
- allergic shiners (periorbital darkening secondary to venous congestion)
- donnie’s lines (wrinkles beneath the lower eyelids)
What are some of the systemic symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
- cognitive impairment
- fatigue
- irritability
- malaise
What are some common perennial allergies?
- dust, mould
What is classified as intermittent allergic rhinitis?
< 4 days/week
< 4 weeks/year
What is classified as persistent allergic rhinitis?
> 4 days/week
>4weeks/year
What constitutes vasomotor rhinitis?
- a form of non-allergic rhinitis, which onset later on in life
- presentation: nasal congestion, rhinorrhea and postnasal drip (dripping in back of throat)
- patients usually 40-60 y/o
triggers: temperature, exercise, environmental changes, cigarettes, perfume, paint, smoke and emotional stress
True or false: vasomotor rhinitis is immune mediated. Antihistamines would work for vasomotor rhinitis
False
What are some common medications that can cause non allergic rhinitis?
- antihypertensive agents (prazosin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors)
- oral contraceptives
- NSAIDS
- topical decongestants
- older antipsychotics agents
What are the red flags to be aware of with allergic rhinitis?
- age < 2 y/o
- wheezing and shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest
- painful ear or sinuses
- fever
- purulent nasal or ocular discharge
- allergen not identifiable
- failed medication - inadequate response to appropriate OTC rx after about 2 weeks
- poor quality of life/missing school or work
What are the general treatments of allergic rhinitis?
- non-pharmacological treatments (avoid the offending allergen- eliminate the allergen from the environment)
- pharmacotherapy
- immunotherapy
- education
What is normal saline used for?
- used to soothe irritated nasal tissues and moisturize the nasal mucosa
- used on a prn basis
Controlled clinical studies suggest that nasal irrigation might do what?
- reduce nasal concentration of inflammatory mediators, therefore possible helping to prevent or eliminate congestion
- flush out mucus and allergens
- improve nasal airflow
How do nasal breathing strips work?
- drug free option
- work by mechanical means to improve nasal airflow in patients suffering form congestion
- symptomatic relief
- considered a device
- NO EVIDENCE THAT IT WORKS
What are the treatment goals for allergic rhinitis?
- avoid or minimize the exposure to allergen
- alleviate symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis
- minimuse actual and potential adverse events associated with medication
What is the MOA for antihistamines?
- competitive, reversible antagonist at H1 receptor
- prevents histamine binding and action at the receptor site
- does not affect histamine synthesis or chemically inactivate histamine
- effective in reducing sneezing, rhinorrhea and itch (nasal, palatal and ocular) associated with AR
With the exception of desloratadine, these antihistamines are generally _________
not effective at relieving nasal congestion and stuffiness
Do antihistamines get rid of histamine that has already been released?
NO it does not - they just block histamine at the site of action - if the mast cells have already degranulated and have bound to their active site, they will have no further affect
Describe first generation antihistamines
non selective and sedating antihistamine
Describe second generation antihistamines
peripherally selective and non-sedating
____ generation antihistamines have a high amount of anticholinergic SE
First
What are the known first generation antihistamines?
- chlorpheniramine
- diphenhydramine
- brompheniramine /doxyalamine/pyrilamine/triprolidine
What are the known second generation antihistamines?
- loratadine
- cetirizine
- fexofenadine
What is the one known 3rd generation antihistamine?
- desloratidine
With ____ it is important to avoid all juices
fenofexadine
10% of patients that have ____ will have sedating SE
cetirizine
What is the dosing of Diphenhydramine?
Onset: 15-30 mins
Dosing: every 6-8 hours
Adverse effects: anticholinergic (dry mouth and eyes, constipation, urinary retention)
and CNS effects (sedation, fatigue, disease, impairment of cognition and performance)
Drug Interactions: alcohol, hypnotics, sedatives, CNS depressants
What is the dosing of Chlorpheniramine?
Onset: 30 minutes
Dosing: every 4-6 hours
Adverse effects: anticholinergic effects as well as CNS effects (sedation, fatigue, dizziness, impaired cognition and performance)
Drug interactions: alcohol, hypnotics, sedatives, CNS depressants
What is the dosing of cetirizine?
Onset: 20-60 minutes
Dosing: once daily
Adverse effects: minimal to no anticholinergic or CNS effects - may cause drowsiness in some headache
** avoid if hypersensitivity to hydroxyzine
What is the dosing of fexofenadine?
Onset: 1 hour
Dosing: OD ( 120 mg) or BID (60 mg)
Adverse effects: minimal to no anticholinergic or CNS effects, headache
** take with water, do not take straight with antacids
What is the dosing for loratadine?
Onset: 1-3 hours
Dosing: OD
Adverse effects: minimal to no anticholinergic or CNS effects - headache
What is the dosing for desloratadine?
Onset: 1.25 hours
Dosing: OD
Adverse effects: minimal to no anticholinergic or CNS effects, headache
Central effects of antihistamines depends on the drug’s ability to cross the ____
BBB
Antihistamines should be taken _____ before pollen season or onset of symptoms (for seasonal/intermittent allergies)
10-14 days
Should continue antihistamines throughout the season and for ______ afterwards
2-3 weeks
For infrequent exposure to allergens, such as visiting a house with a cat, the AH should be taken _____ before exposure to the allergen
2-5 hours
What are some of the causes of ineffectiveness of antihistamines?
- patient non-adherence
- increased antigen exposure
- worsening condition
- limited effectiveness of AH in severe disease
- develops similar symptoms due to unrelated disease
- suggest switching to another class of AH
What are the most common side effects of AH?
- Sedation: mild drowsiness to deep sleep
- CNS depression: disturbed coordination, dizziness, drowsiness and inability to concentrate
- may be increased with alcohol
- mucus secretion thickened - Anticholinergic effect: this is typically associated with the 1st generation AH
- dry mouth/dry eyes/dry nose, constipation, tachycardia, urinary retention, increase intraocular pressure
What are the contraindications of using a 1st generation AH?
- narrow angled glaucoma
- severe bladder obstruction
- stenosing peptic ulcer or pyloroduodenal obstruction
- hyperthyroidism
- cardiac disease
- prostate disease
- chronic lung disease
- Caution: patients with MAOIs
Can you take a first generation antihistamine with hypertension?
- YES
- it does not cause an increase in blood pressure, only HEART RATE
What is the action of decongestants?
- they sole the symptoms of congestion only, they do not treat the inflammatory cause of the allergic rhinitis
- cause vasoconstriction of the alpha receptors, inflammatory mediators do not flood the area as much so you do not get as much inflammation and congestion
What are the two used oral decongestants?
- phenylephrine
- pseudophedrine
Of the oral decongestants, which is the only one that is effective?
- pseudoephedrine