en-us Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:05:22 +0200 60 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/ Allergy Medication Forum batmixx http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=63 Allergy Medication News & Discussion Tue, 06 May 2008 17:34:30 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=63
Has anybody out there had any positive experiences using herbs or homeopathic remedies for allergy relief?

I've heard great things about Sinol, a homeopathic remedy with capsaicin (the chemical that makes hot peppers hot) as the main ingredient. Apparently it really clears the sinuses!

(Many people don't realize that the popular Zicam is also a homeopathic medicine!)

I've also read a lot about quercetin, a plant-based anti-inflammatory, but I've never heard any first-hand accounts about it. I've also read that stinging nettle helps allergies, but again, I haven't heard any first-hand accounts.

If anybody can provide more information about natural allergy relief, I'd really appreciate it!]]> n/a http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=112 Allergy Medication News & Discussion Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:13:00 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=112
Alcon's senior vice president remarks, "We look forward to providing doctors the opportunity to prescribe PATANESE to their patients who need and want a fast-acting nasal spray that quickly relieves symptoms."

Two-week, randomized, double-blind clinical trials determined the efficacy of PATANESE in alleviating allergy symptoms and ultimately led to the FDA's approval of the drug. One of the key benefits of PATANESE is that it offers "relief beginning in minutes in a convenient steroid-free nasal spray," as Dr. Eli Meltzer, lead investigator of one study, puts it. He continues, "Patients in our fast paced society want rapid improvement and relief from their nasal allergies." Possible side effects include bitter taste, headache, epistaxis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, post-nasal drip, cough, and urinary tract infection.

Interestingly, a recent study (http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL86037320080318) has indicated a link between nasal allergy symptoms and eye allergy symptoms; the naso-ocular reflex, as it's called, suggests that allergens that make their way into a patient's nasal passages are in large part responsible for their itchy, watery, and red eyes. I wonder if allergy sufferers will realize that their eye symptoms subside through the use of the nasal spray alone, and if that will cause them to stop buying and using Alcon's ocular line.
]]> n/a http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=102 Allergy Medication News & Discussion Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:09:53 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=102
Both medications will be marketed as store brands, and both are antihistamines very similar to Chyldren's Zyrtec Oral Solution.
]]> n/a http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=75 Asthma Medication News, Research & Discussion Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:23:39 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=75 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/102037.phphas found that a mere 16% of asthma patients who received asthma preventer medications in a year period (2004-2005) used these prescription medications regularly, as their guidelines indicate. In addition, over half of new users did not get a prescription refill within the next two years.

The Head of Epidemiology Reasearch at the Woolcock Institute, where the study was based, states, "Importantly, this study shows that while guidelines recommend regular use of preventer medication, this certainly isn't happening in the community. At least some of those people who are now using preventer medication sporadically, could be expected to benefit from regular use of this class of medications."

I wonder if this statistic holds true for American asthma sufferers as well, and I wonder what causes such low rates of compliance with the usage guidelines of these medications. What should the medical industry do to stress the importance of preventive maintenance in order to reduce the prevalence of asthma attacks? Or are these people finding other ways to manage their asthma and therefore feel less dependent on medications?
]]> Scott http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=72 Asthma Medication News, Research & Discussion Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:35:44 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=72
Medical News Today http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/99561.php reports on a sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) treatment for allergic asthma. A study on SLIT therapy was published in the March issue of the journal Chest.

SLIT consists of the oral administration of allergen extracts, and works on the same basis as immunotherapy shots. Researchers discovered that SLIT reduced both symptom scores and rescue medication use in children who suffered from allergic asthma. In addition, most adverse effects were mild.

Further researach is needed to determine dosage and administration schedules. The therapy is often used in Europe, but has not been approved by the USDA for use in the United States.]]> n/a http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=71 Asthma Medication News, Research & Discussion Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:08:35 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=71
Both drugs are respiratory disease medications used to treat patients with asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Spiriva and Foradil are intended for use with inhalation devices.

The FDA said that it has received several reports of the capsules being swallowed. Although "not many" patients who swallowed the drugs experienced side effects, the FDA emphasized that the drugs will only assist breathing if inhaled through the Spiriva HandiHaler or Foradil Aerolizer, which are specifically designed to deliver the drugs.

This brings up the question again of adequate labeling and communication to consumers. Anybody have any experience with these drugs? How obvious is it that the drugs should be inhaled and not swallowed?]]> Scott http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=70 Allergy Medication News & Discussion Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:38:56 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=70
On August 4, 2007, 15-year-old Cody Miller committed suicide days after switching from Allegra to Singulair. His mother says, "Second week he started having some issues with not sleeping well, and then sleeping like long periods of time, and leg aches and just kind of agitated behavior. He only had three days of really falling, negative emotional meltdown really emotional .. yeah, like just shaky, sweating profusely, actually just, you know, thought well God, you need some sleep, you know, something wrong, unrealistic fears."

She found her son after he hanged himself in the shower.

Two months after Cody's death, Merck updated Singulair's warning to include "suicidal thoughts and actions."

However, many people (pharmacists and doctors included) don't know about the grave side effect.

Medications.com lists over 1,000 personal stories about side effects from Sinulair, and many of them have to do with behavioral and psychological problems among children.

You may be thinking, "How is it that an allergy drug can lead to psychological problems and even suicide?"

I thought the same thing! So I did some research.

Singulair is a member of a fairly new class of drugs called leukotriene inhibitors.

Leukotriene inhibitors are hormone antagonists that act upon leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are like signal molecules, responsible for many effects of asthma and allergies.

But leukotrienes are involved in other biological processes besides inflammatory reactions! They also serve as signals for the neuroendocrine system, which controls mood. It's easy to see how a change in neuroendocrine signaling could lead to psychological changes.

A 2004 Japanese study published in Neuroscience suggests that leukotrienes may also be involved in "extrahypothalamic vasopressinergic neural functions" including the regulation of learning and memory, social recognition memory, sexual and aggressive behavior, etc.

So... One popular allergy medication may cause loss of vision, and another may lead to suicide! I'm glad that I have my allergies under control using non-pharmaceutical methods.]]> n/a http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=68 Allergy Medication News & Discussion Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:59:41 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=68
Last month, the makers of CLARITIN announced that the FDA approved additional labeling that will tell consumers of CLARITIN's effectiveness in relieving both indoor and outdoor allergies.

Both outdoor (or seasonal) and indoor (perennial or year-round) allergies affect the body in the same way and manifest the same symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and itchy nose and throat. Common outdoor allergens include grass, trees, and pollen, while typical indoor allergens include dust mites, mold, and pet dander.

I wonder if this will affect typical consumers of allergy medications and their choices of medication, especially since many allergy sufferers react to both indoor and outdoor allergens.

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?]]> n/a http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=69 Asthma Medication News, Research & Discussion Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:10:56 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=69
Interleukin-13 is believed to have a central role in the development of allergic asthma and has become a target for injected or inhaled asthma medications.

Studies so far indicate that IL-13 antagonists, as the new forms of medication are called, seem to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective.

It will be interesting to see what new asthma treatments are born if the studies continue to be positive.]]> n/a http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=67 Allergy Medication News & Discussion Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:37:50 +0200 http://www.allergymedicationforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=67
Since allergies are basically an exaggerated immune system response to allergens like dust, pollen, or peanuts, treatment that dampens the immune systems has been previously considered. However, such treatment is obviousy risky since it prevents the body from responding properly to other threats.

A research team funded by the Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has shown that targeting a molecule called p110delta enables the halt of allergic reactions without compromising the entire immune system.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Khaled Ali says, "This work shows that we have the potential to take control of the body's reaction to an allergen and prevent symptoms from occurring."

It's exciting to consider where this might lead for the millions of allergy and allergy sufferers around the world.]]>