Allergy as a drug target Flashcards
What is an allergic disorder?
This is caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system and is to typically harmless substances in the environment.
What is an allergy?
A reaction produced by the body’s immune system when exposed to a normally harmless substance.
What is the harmless substance known as which can cause an allergy?
This is known as an ‘allergen’.
What is anaphylaxis?
A severe systemic allergic reaction.
What is sensitivity?
The exaggeration of the normal effects of a substance. Happens gradually but IS NOT threatening.
What is intolerance?
This is where a substance causes unpleasant symptoms but DOES NOT involve the immune system.
Give some examples of allergies.
Eczema Food Allergy Allergic Rhinitis Anaphylaxis Drug Allergy Asthma
Give some symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Skin rash Nasal congestion Sore throat Chronic headaches Nausea // diarrhoea Fever Dizziness Chest blockage
What are the most common food allergies?
Peanuts Tree Nuts Eggs Milk Shellfish Fish
In terms of drug allergies, what are some possible ones?
Penicillin
NSAID
General Anaesthesia
What are some symptoms of having an allergy to penicillin?
Hives
Rashes
Itching
What is atopy?
This is the genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis etc…
What are the 4 atopic conditions?
Allergic Rhinitis
Eczema
Asthma
Food allergies
Give some topical treatments which can be used in order to treat allergies.
Inhalers
Cream
Nasal Sprays
Eye Drops
What are the 2 types of antihistamines used to treat mild allergies?
Sedating
Non - Sedating
What is an example for sedating antihistamines?
Chlorphenamine = These are inverted agonists to the H1 receptor blocking action of endogenous histamine.
What is an example of non - sedating antihistamines?
Loratadine = Inverse agonist of H1 receptor. Cetirizine = Selective inhibition of H1 receptor.
What is a long term treatment option for chronic allergy symptoms?
Immunotherapy.
What is anaphylaxis?
This is a serious allergic reaction which is rapid in onset and may cause death.
What are some symptoms of anaphylaxis?
Vasodilation Urticaria (Hives) Tachycardia Hypotension Clammy skini Anxiety
What is the pneumonic used for assessing anaphylactic reaction?
Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
What are the receptors contained within the epi - pen?
Alpha - 1 = Smooth muscle contraction
Alpha - 2 = Inhibition of transmitter release
Smooth muscle contraction
Beta = Heart muscle contraction // smooth muscle relaxation
What is the epi - pen?
Chemical which narrows the blood vessels and opens airways in the lungs.
Reverse SEVERE low blood pressure.
How do you diagnose an allergy?
Skin prick testing.
Laboratory testing can be used too.
In A of ABCDE, what is looked at?
AIRWAY
Swelling // Stridor // Angioedema
In B of ABCDE, what is looked at?
BREATHING
Respiratory rate // Oxygen monitoring
In C of ABCDE, what is looked at?
CIRCULATION
Pulse // Blood pressure
In D of ABCDE, what is looked at?
DISABILITY
Use AVPU
In E of ABCDE, what is looked at?
EXPOSURE
Identifying // Removing any potential anaphylactic triggers.
