Allergic Rhinitis Flashcards
Allergic Rhinitis
Inflammatory disorder of the upper airway
Allergic Rhinitis symptoms
– Sneezing – Rhinorrhea – Pruritus – Nasal congestion – For some people: Conjunctivitis, sinusitis, and asthma
Seasonal
pollen - grass, tree, ragweed
perennial
dust mites, cat and dog dander
allergic rhinitis
Allergens bind to immunoglobulin E (IgE)
on mast cells
Triggers release of inflammatory mediator
– Histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins
Three pollen seasons
in Minnesota
Tree
Grass
Weed
Ragweed
Tree
early
April until the end of
May.
Grass
– early
June to mid-July
Weed
– midJune until a hard frost
occurs
ragweed
early August through
mid-October
Classes of Drugs Used for
Allergic Rhinitis
- Glucocorticoids (intranasal)
- Antihistamines (oral and intranasal)
- Sympathomimetics (oral and intranasal)
Intranasal Glucocorticoids are the first
choice—most effective for treatment and
prevention of rhinitis
Intranasal Glucocorticoids exampoles
Budesonide [Rhinocort Aqua], fluticasone
propionate [Flonase], triamcinolone [Nasacort
Allergy}
Intranasal Glucocorticoids adverse effects
– Drying of nasal mucosa or sore throat – Epistaxis (nosebleed) – Headache – Rarely, systemic effects (adrenal suppression and slowing of linear pediatric growth)
Intranasal Glucocorticoids preferred treatment choice in
in pregnancy for moderate
to severe AR, use lowest effective dose (typically
choose budesonide – pregnancy category B)
Oral Antihistamines are
H1 receptor antagonists