Allergic Rhinitis Flashcards
Medication options for allergic rhinitis
- Antihistamines
- Nasal glucocorticoids
- Decongestants
Antihistamines You Should Know
First Generation Antihistamines
- Diphenhydramine (dye-fen-HYE-dra-meen)
- Hydroxyzine (hye-DROX-i-zeen)
- Promethazine (proe-METH-a zeen)
Second Generation Antihistamines - Loratadine (lor-A-ta-deen)
- Cetirizine(se-TI-ra-zeen)
- Fexofenadine fex-oh-FEN-a-deen)
Common Uses of Antihistamines
First-generation antihistamines have lots of uses. They are also prescribed for allergic reactions, nausea, cough, insomnia, itching (pruritis), and more. You may recall that diphenhydramine is prescribed for extrapyramidal symptoms.
Second-generation antihistamines are more selective to histamine receptors and do not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. They also have a longer half-life. Thus, second-generation antihistamines are a good choice for allergic rhinitis.
Mechanism of Action (Antihistamine)
block histamine from binding to histamine1receptors. This prevents allergic rhinitis symptoms
HYC
CNS Depression- anytime you have a sedating medication, we need to be careful about combining it with other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids
First-generation antihistamines aren’t very selective; they also block acetylcholine receptors. Clients taking first-generation antihistamines often experience anticholinergic effects.
Nasal Glucocorticoids You Should Know
- Fluticasone(floo-TI-ka-sone)
- Mometasone(moe-MET-a-sone)
- Fluticasone(floo-TI-ka-sone)
- Mometasone(moe-MET-a-sone)
Common use of Nasal Glucocorticoids
These medications are for allergic rhinitis. These medications may be the most effective drugs for allergic rhinitis.
Mechanism of Action - Nasal Glucocorticoids
prevent the immune system from creating the chemical triggers of inflammation (e.g., histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes).
HYC- Nasal Glucocorticoids
Time Frame- takes about oneweek for them to reach their maximal effect. Thus, they need to be taken consistently to work.
Nose Bleeds- sometimes they can dry the nasal mucosa, leading to a bloody nose (epistaxis).
Administration- Remember to shake these medications before giving them. “Shake and prime if it’s been a long time.”
Decongestants You Should Know
- Phenylephrine(fen-il-EFF-rin)
- Pseudoephedrine(soo-doe-e-FED-rin)
Common Use of Decongestants
used to relieve nasal congestion.
Mechanism of Action- Decongestants
Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine activate alpha1receptors, resulting in vasoconstriction in the nasal mucosa. This decreases nasal congestion.
HYC- Decongestants
- Increased Sympathetic Stimulation- headache, insomnia, poor appetite, and jitteriness, tachycardia and increased blood pressure. Clients with hypertension or cardiac disease should probably avoid these medications.
- Illegal Use- Pseudoephedrine is also a key ingredient when making crystal methamphetamine. Hence, it’s rather difficult to purchase pseudoephedrine these days. There are limits to how much you can buy .
What is another term for allergic rhinitis?
Hay Fever
How do first-generation antihistamines differ from second-generation antihistamines?
First-generation antihistamines have lots of uses. Second- generation antihistamines are more selective to histamine receptors and do not easily cross the blood-brain barrier.
