Allergy treatment, medicines and dosages.
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatuhu, I hope you are well. The topic that I will discuss briefly today is-
Allergy treatment, medicines and dosages
Medicines may have different names in different countries. Always consult a registrar's doctor before taking the medicine.
### Allergy Treatment, Medicines, and Common Dosages
Here’s a detailed breakdown of common allergy medications, their uses, and typical dosages. It’s essential to note that dosages may vary based on individual needs, the severity of symptoms, and the guidance of a healthcare provider.
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### **1. Antihistamines**
Antihistamines are used to block histamine, a chemical that causes allergic symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
#### **Oral Antihistamines (Non-drowsy)**
- **Loratadine (Claritin)**:
- **Adults & children 6+**: 10 mg once daily.
- **Children 2-5 years**: 5 mg once daily (chewable tablet or syrup).
- **Cetirizine (Zyrtec)**:
- **Adults & children 6+**: 10 mg once daily.
- **Children 2-5 years**: 2.5 mg once daily, may increase to 5 mg if needed.
- **Fexofenadine (Allegra)**:
- **Adults**: 180 mg once daily or 60 mg twice daily.
- **Children 2-11 years**: 30 mg twice daily.
#### **Oral Antihistamines (Sedating)**
- **Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)**:
- **Adults**: 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours.
- **Children 6-12 years**: 12.5-25 mg every 4-6 hours.
- **Children under 6**: Consult with a doctor.
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### **2. Decongestants**
Decongestants relieve nasal congestion by reducing swelling in the nasal passages. They can be taken alone or combined with antihistamines.
#### **Oral Decongestants**
- **Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)**:
- **Adults**: 60 mg every 4-6 hours or 120 mg every 12 hours (extended-release).
- **Children 6-12 years**: 30 mg every 4-6 hours.
- **Children 4-5 years**: Consult with a doctor.
- **Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)**:
- **Adults**: 10 mg every 4 hours.
- **Children 6-12 years**: 5 mg every 4 hours.
#### **Nasal Decongestant Sprays** (Use no more than 3-4 days to avoid rebound congestion)
- **Oxymetazoline (Afrin)**:
- **Adults & children 6+**: 2-3 sprays in each nostril twice daily.
- **Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)**:
- **Adults & children 6+**: 2-3 sprays every 4 hours.
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### **3. Nasal Corticosteroids**
Nasal corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and are highly effective for allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
- **Fluticasone (Flonase)**:
- **Adults & children 12+**: 2 sprays in each nostril once daily (can reduce to 1 spray per nostril).
- **Children 4-11 years**: 1 spray in each nostril once daily.
- **Mometasone (Nasonex)**:
- **Adults**: 2 sprays in each nostril once daily.
- **Children 2-11 years**: 1 spray in each nostril once daily.
- **Budesonide (Rhinocort)**:
- **Adults & children 6+**: 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, reduce to 1 spray once controlled.
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### **4. Oral Corticosteroids**
Oral corticosteroids are used for short-term management of severe allergy symptoms or asthma.
- **Prednisone**:
- **Adults**: 5-60 mg daily depending on the condition.
- **Children**: Doses vary by weight; typically 1-2 mg/kg daily, up to 60 mg.
- Usually given as a short course of 5-10 days.
- **Methylprednisolone (Medrol)**:
- **Adults**: 4-48 mg daily, depending on severity.
- Often used in a "Medrol Dose Pack," which tapers off over six days.
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### **5. Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists**
Leukotriene receptor antagonists block leukotrienes, which cause airway constriction and inflammation.
- **Montelukast (Singulair)**:
- **Adults & children 15+**: 10 mg once daily.
- **Children 6-14 years**: 5 mg once daily (chewable tablet).
- **Children 2-5 years**: 4 mg once daily (chewable tablet or granules).
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### **6. Mast Cell Stabilizers**
Mast cell stabilizers prevent the release of histamine and other chemicals from mast cells.
- **Cromolyn sodium (NasalCrom)**:
- **Adults & children 2+**: 1 spray in each nostril 3-4 times daily (up to 6 times).
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### **7. Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots/Tablets)**
Immunotherapy gradually desensitizes the body to allergens. It requires regular injections or sublingual tablets over time.
- **Allergy shots (Subcutaneous Immunotherapy, SCIT)**:
- Administered by an allergist. Weekly shots for several months, then maintenance shots every 4-6 weeks.
- **Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets**:
- **Oralair (grass pollen)**: One tablet daily before and during pollen season.
- **Grastek (grass pollen)**: One tablet daily starting several months before and during pollen season.
- **Ragwitek (ragweed pollen)**: One tablet daily starting before and during pollen season.
- **Odactra (dust mites)**: One tablet daily year-round.
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### **8. Epinephrine (for Anaphylaxis)**
Epinephrine is a life-saving treatment for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
- **EpiPen (Epinephrine)**:
- **Adults & children 30 kg+**: 0.3 mg injected into the outer thigh.
- **Children under 30 kg**: 0.15 mg injected into the outer thigh.
- **Dosage** can be repeated every 5-15 minutes if needed, based on medical advice.
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### **9. Allergy Eye Drops**
These relieve allergic conjunctivitis symptoms like itching and redness.
- **Ketotifen (Zaditor, Alaway)**:
- 1 drop in each eye twice daily.
- **Olopatadine (Pataday, Patanol)**:
- **Patanol**: 1 drop in each eye twice daily.
- **Pataday**: 1 drop in each eye once daily.
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### **10. Combination Medications**
These combine antihistamines with decongestants to target multiple allergy symptoms.
- **Claritin-D (Loratadine + Pseudoephedrine)**:
- **Adults**: 1 tablet (10 mg/240 mg) once daily.
- **Zyrtec-D (Cetirizine + Pseudoephedrine)**:
- **Adults**: 1 tablet (5 mg/120 mg) twice daily.
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### **Consultation with Healthcare Providers**
Dosages and treatment plans can vary greatly based on individual health conditions, age, weight, and severity of symptoms. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting or adjusting allergy medications, especially for children and those with underlying health conditions.
