Allergy as a drug target

Question 1

What is an allergic disorder?

Answer 1

This is caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system and is to typically harmless substances in the environment.

Question 2

What is an allergy?

Answer 2

A reaction produced by the body’s immune system when exposed to a normally harmless substance.

Question 3

What is the harmless substance known as which can cause an allergy?

Answer 3

This is known as an ‘allergen’.

Question 4

What is anaphylaxis?

Answer 4

A severe systemic allergic reaction.

Question 5

What is sensitivity?

Answer 5

The exaggeration of the normal effects of a substance. Happens gradually but IS NOT threatening.

Question 6

What is intolerance?

Answer 6

This is where a substance causes unpleasant symptoms but DOES NOT involve the immune system.

Question 7

Give some examples of allergies.

Answer 7

Eczema
Food Allergy 
Allergic Rhinitis 
Anaphylaxis
Drug Allergy 
Asthma

Question 8

Give some symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Answer 8

Skin rash 
Nasal congestion 
Sore throat
Chronic headaches 
Nausea // diarrhoea 
Fever
Dizziness
Chest blockage

Question 9

What are the most common food allergies?

Answer 9

Peanuts 
Tree Nuts
Eggs
Milk 
Shellfish 
Fish

Question 10

In terms of drug allergies, what are some possible ones?

Answer 10

Penicillin
NSAID
General Anaesthesia

Question 11

What are some symptoms of having an allergy to penicillin?

Answer 11

Hives
Rashes
Itching

Question 12

What is atopy?

Answer 12

This is the genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis etc…

Question 13

What are the 4 atopic conditions?

Answer 13

Allergic Rhinitis
Eczema
Asthma
Food allergies

Question 14

Give some topical treatments which can be used in order to treat allergies.

Answer 14

Inhalers
Cream
Nasal Sprays
Eye Drops

Question 15

What are the 2 types of antihistamines used to treat mild allergies?

Answer 15

Sedating

Non - Sedating

Question 16

What is an example for sedating antihistamines?

Answer 16

Chlorphenamine = These are inverted agonists to the H1 receptor blocking action of endogenous histamine.

Question 17

What is an example of non - sedating antihistamines?

Answer 17

Loratadine = Inverse agonist of H1 receptor. 
Cetirizine = Selective inhibition of H1 receptor.

Question 18

What is a long term treatment option for chronic allergy symptoms?

Answer 18

Immunotherapy.

Question 19

What is anaphylaxis?

Answer 19

This is a serious allergic reaction which is rapid in onset and may cause death.

Question 20

What are some symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Answer 20

Vasodilation 
Urticaria (Hives) 
Tachycardia 
Hypotension  
Clammy skini 
Anxiety

Question 21

What is the pneumonic used for assessing anaphylactic reaction?

Answer 21

Airway
Breathing
Circulation 
Disability
Exposure

Question 22

What are the receptors contained within the epi - pen?

Answer 22

Alpha - 1 = Smooth muscle contraction
Alpha - 2 = Inhibition of transmitter release
Smooth muscle contraction
Beta = Heart muscle contraction // smooth muscle relaxation

Question 23

What is the epi - pen?

Answer 23

Chemical which narrows the blood vessels and opens airways in the lungs.
Reverse SEVERE low blood pressure.

Question 24

How do you diagnose an allergy?

Answer 24

Skin prick testing.

Laboratory testing can be used too.

Question 25

In A of ABCDE, what is looked at?

Answer 25

AIRWAY

Swelling // Stridor // Angioedema

Question 26

In B of ABCDE, what is looked at?

Answer 26

BREATHING

Respiratory rate // Oxygen monitoring

Question 27

In C of ABCDE, what is looked at?

Answer 27

CIRCULATION

Pulse // Blood pressure

Question 28

In D of ABCDE, what is looked at?

Answer 28

DISABILITY

Use AVPU

Question 29

In E of ABCDE, what is looked at?

Answer 29

EXPOSURE

Identifying // Removing any potential anaphylactic triggers.