Archive

Posts Tagged ‘allergies’

Antihistamines

May 21st, 2009

Antihistamines are used to treat allergy symptoms.

Antihistamines (histamine antagonist) block the action of histamine at the H1 and H2 histamine receptors.  Antihistamines that primarily block the H1 receptor are used to treat allergies.

Allergens interact with immune cells to cause the release of histamine, which binds to the H1 receptor on other cells to produce the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Inhibition of histamine binding to target cells reduces allergic symptoms.

Medication Name Generic Available Discount Programs
Cetirizine (Zyrtec, Zyrtec-D*) Yes OTC
Desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex-D*) No Patent expires in 2014
Fexofenadine (Allegra, Allegra-D*) No Patent expires in 2012
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) No Patent expires in 2012
Loratadine (Claritin, Claritin-D*) Yes OTC | Walmart | Target | Kroger

*Also contains Pseudoephedrine

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Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists

May 10th, 2009

Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists are used to treat asthma and allergies.

No generic Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists are available.

The patent for Zafirlukast (Accolate) expires in 2011, and the patent for Montelukast (Singulair) expires in 2012.

Leukotriene antagonists block the inflammatory cascade by inhibiting the action of cysteinyl leukotrienes at CysLT1 receptors in bronchial smooth muscle and other tissues.

The action of leukotriene antagonists have been shown to improve asthma and seasonal allergy symptoms, reduce asthma exacerbations, and limit markers of inflammation such as eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Medication Name Generic Available Discount Programs
Montelukast (Singulair) No The Singular patent expires in 2012
Zafirlukast (Accolate) No The Accolate patent expires in 2011

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