Decision Assist

Allergy medications

Introduction

The purpose of this tool is to help you decide whether prescription allergy medications are right for you. When making a decision like this, you must balance:

This tool is not a substitute for professional medical care and advice. Work with your doctor to help you make this decision. A second opinion from another doctor may be valuable. Medication always has potential side effects, and you should be fully informed about the risks and benefits of these types of medication. There is usually no exact “right” or “wrong” answer.

Your doctor may make certain recommendations to you. However, the final decision about whether to use this medication rests with you.

What are these medications?

Just about any substance that you inhale or swallow, or that touches your skin, can cause allergies. Your body's immune system is designed to attack harmful substances like bacteria and viruses. But with allergies, your body launches an assault on substances that are basically harmless -- such as pollen, mold, dust mites, pet saliva and dander, and even medications and insect sting venom.

Allergic reactions

Not only do allergies cause a range of annoying symptoms, such as sneezing and itchy eyes, but they can aggravate or trigger other conditions, such as asthma, sinusitis, and ear infections. Allergies are extremely common. About 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, leading to a lot of missed work and school days each year.

Allergies

Many people begin by self-treating their allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The drugs attempt to stop the histamine reaction that causes the swelling, itching, and mucus production during an allergic reaction. If your allergy symptoms do not improve with OTC drugs, or you have unpleasant side effects from these medicines, you may be thinking of using prescription allergy medications.

This tool will focus on these prescription medications.

Key points

How much time this decision tool will take

What this tool will provide


Review Date: 9/12/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.


References:
  • Blaiss MS. Safety considerations of intranasal corticosteroids for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. Mar-Apr 2007;28(2):145-52.
  • Calderon MA, Alves B, Jacobson M, Hurwitz B, Sheikh A, Durham S. Allergen injectin immunotheraphy for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Jan 24, 2007;(1):CD001936.
  • Meltzer EO. Evaluation of the optimal oral antihistamine for patients with allergic rhinitis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. September 2005;80(9):1170-6.
  • Prenner BM, Schenkel E. Allergic rhinitis: treatment based on patient profiles. Am J Med. March 2006;119(3):230-7.
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