alt.support.asthma FAQ: Allergy Medications
m...@saltmine.radix.net
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 17 November 2000
Original-Author: Patricia Wrean <prw...@sfu.ca>
Version: 1.3
alt.support.asthma FAQ: Allergy Medications
=============================================
This FAQ attempts to list the most common allergy medications available
both in the U.S. and overseas. It was compiled by Patricia Wrean
<prw...@sfu.ca> and is currently maintained by Marie Goldenberg
<m...@radix.net>.
Because of the plethora of over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines
available, no efort has been made to make this an exhaustive list
of all brand names. Also, other ingredients in antihistamine
formulations, such as the decongestant pseudoephedrine hydrochloride,
have not been included. Sections on decongestants and topical
remedies for rashes and hives will be added in later versions.
The information about inhaled corticosteroids and ketotifen fumarate
(Zaditen) has been taken from the alt.support.asthma FAQ: Asthma
Medications. The remaining entries come from either the 1995
Physicians' Desk Reference and the 1995 PDR for Non-prescription
Drugs (full citations in References section at end of post), or
from the contributors listed at the end of the post. Chemical
class information came mostly from the pamphlet "Advice from your
Allergist", published by the American College of Allergy &
Immunology.
** Although the maintainer does her best to keep this FAQ updated,
it is by no means an authoritative work. Asthma is a serious
illness requiring supervision by a physician. Please do not
attempt to change your medication regime without consulting your
doctor.
Corrections, additions, and comments are requested; please include
the name of the country in which the medication is available, as
it isn't always obvious from the user-id. If the drug is available
as an inhaler, please specify it as a MDI or one of the other types
mentioned in the glossary, or add a description of the inhaler if
it is not present already. If you do not wish your name to be
included in the contributors list, please state that explicitly when
contributing.
Abbreviations are explained in the glossary at the end of the table.
If the medication is followed by a country name in brackets, then
to the best of my knowledge it is only available in that country,
and not in the U.S.
+ = added since last version
& = updated/corrected since last version
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Antihistamines
--------------
class chemical name brand name comments
----- ------------- ---------- --------
alkylamines
brompheniramine Bromfed, Rx & OTC
maleate Dimetane,
Dimetapp, etc.
chlorpheniramine Atrohist, Rx & OTC
maleate Chlor-Trimeton,
Kronofed, etc.
pheniramine Triaminic Rx
maleate
triprolidine Actifed Rx
hydrochloride
ethanolamines
carbinoxamine Rondec Rx
maleate
clemastine Tavist Rx & OTC
fumarate
dimenhydrinate Dramamine OTC, usually
for nausea
diphenhydramine Benadryl Rx & OTC
hydrochloride
ethylenediamines
pyrilamine Triaminic Rx
maleate
tripelennamine PBZ Rx
hydrochloride
phenothiazines
promethazine Phenergan Rx
hydrochloride
trimeprazine Temeril Rx
tartrate
piperazines
cetirizine Zyrtec Rx
Reactine (Can)
chlorcyclizine Mantadil Cream Rx, for eczema
& dermatitis
hydroxyzine Atarax Rx
hydrochloride
hydroxyzine Vistaril Rx
pamoate
meclizine Antivert, Rx & OTC,
hydrochloride Bonine Bonine
usually for
nausea
miscellaneous
astemizole Hismanal Rx, non-sedating
azatadine Trinalin Rx
maleate
cyproheptadine Periactin Rx
hydrochloride
ketotifen Zaditen Rx (Can), for
fumarate treatment of
pediatric
allergic
asthma,
non-sedating
loratidine Claritin Rx, non-sedating
phenindamine Nolahist OTC
tartrate
terfenadine Seldane Rx, non-sedating
& (discontinued in 1997)
Anti-inflammatory, steroidal (inhaled)
chemical name brand name comments
------------- ---------- --------
beclomethasone Beconase Rx, nasal MDI
dipropionate Beconase AQ Rx, nasal spray
Vancenase Rx, Pockethaler
(nasal MDI)
Vancenase AQ Rx, nasal spray
budesonide Rhinocort Rx, nasal MDI
(US, elsewhere),
nasal turbuhaler,
(Can, Sw),
nasal spray (Can)
flunisolide Nasalide Rx, nasal spray
Nasarel Rx, nasal spray
Rhinalar Rx, nasal spray (Can)
fluticasone Flonase Rx, nasal spray
propionate
+ mometasone Nasonex Rx, nasal spray
triamcinolone Nasacort Rx, nasal MDI
acetonide
Mast cell stabilizers*
---------------------
cromolyn sodium Nasalcrom Rx, nasal spray
(sodium cromoglycate
is WHO recommended Rynacrom Rx, nasal spray,
name generally in cartridges for nasal
use outside the US) insufflator (Can)
(Nasalcrom now OTC in US)
* a mast cell stabilizer blocks the production of histamine. For
a more complete description of what a mast cell stabilizer does,
please see the alt.support.asthma FAQ: Asthma -- General
Information, section 2.0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary
--------
aerosol inhalers:
MDI - metered-dose inhaler, consisting of an aerosol unit and
plastic mouthpiece. This is currently the most common
type of inhaler, and is widely available.
syncroner - MDI with elongated mouthpiece, used as training device
to see if medication is being inhaled properly.
Available in Canada for Intal.
dry powder inhalers:
insufflator - dry powder nasal inhaler used with Rynacrom cartridges.
Each cartridge contains one dose; the inhaler opens the
cartridge, allowing the powder to be blown into the
nose by squeezing the bulb. Available in Canada.
spinhaler - dry powder inhaler used with Intal capsules for
spinhaler. Each capsule contains one dose; the
inhaler opens the capsule such that the powder
may be inhaled through the mouthpiece. Available
in Canada, UK, and the U.S.
turbuhaler - dry powder inhaler. The drug is in form of a pellet;
when body of inhaler is rotated, prescribed amount of
drug is ground off this pellet. The powder is then
inhaled through a fluted aperture on top. Available
in Australia, Canada, Denmark, and Switzerland.
country abbreviations:
Can - Canada
Sw - Switzerland
US - United States
misc:
OTC - over-the-counter, no prescription required for purchase
Rx - prescription by physician required for purchase
----------------------------------------------------------------------
References:
----------
The Physicians' Desk Reference is published annually by:
Medical Economics Data Production Company
Montvale, NJ 07645-1742
ISBN 1-56363-087-7 for the 1995 edition
It is a compendium of official, FDA-approved prescription
drug labeling. The FDA is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Physician's Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs is also
published annually by the Medical Economics Data Production
Company.
ISBN 1-56363-089-3 for the 1995 edition
It is a compendium of manufacturers' information on over-the-
counter medications available in the U.S.
The American College of Allergy & Immunology, (ACAI), publishes a
pamphlet titled "Advice from your Allergist." It may be
ordered from:
ACAI
85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(708) 427-1200
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributors:
Steve Dyer dy...@spdcc.com
Patrick White patr...@iglou.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: I am not a physician; I am only a reasonably
well-informed asthmatic. This information is for
educational purposes only, and should be used only as
a supplement to, not a substitute for, professional
medical advice.
Copyright 1996 by Patricia Wrean, 1997 by Marie Goldenberg. Permission is
given to freely copy or distribute this FAQ provided that it is
distributed in full without modification, and that such distribution is
not intended for profit.