Medical, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals And Diseases Information

Fexofenadine is a specific, selective (has no central actions) and competitive histamine H1 receptor antagonist, with twice the affinity for H1 receptor than terfenadine. It blocks both early and late stages of allergy effectively. It does not have anticholinergic, dopaminergic or alpha-adrenergic activity. It is available under brand names like Allegra, Allegra D and Telfast. Fexofenadine - Allegra is an antihistamine drug used in the treatment of hay fever and similar allergy symptoms. The pharmaceutical company Hoechst Marion Roussel which is now a part of Sanofi-Aventis holds the patent rights for Fexofenadine allegra.

Fexofenadine allegra like other second and third-generation antihistamines, does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier, and so causes less drowsiness than other first-generation histamine-receptor antagonists.

Fexofenadine allegra is used in the treatment of Allergic rhinitis and Allergic skin conditions. Dosage for Allergic Rhinitis is 120 mg once daily and for Allergic Skin Conditions it is 180 mg once daily. Contraindications of Fexofenadine allegra include Hypersensitivity. No special precaution is needed in the elderly, renally impaired or hepatically impaired patients unlike other antiohistamines. This drug is not recommended during lactation.

Common side effects of Fexofenadine allegra include Nausea,Vomiting,Weakness,Drowsiness, sleepiness,Fatigue,Diarrhea and Unusual bowel movements.

 DesLoratidine  is a  new,  selective peripheral histamine  H,-receptor    antagonist. It has more potent antiallergenic properties than loratadine itself. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory    activity which is mediated by inhibiting the release of pro inflammatory mediators from human mast cells/basophils. DesLoratidine is available under the brand name Clarityne.

DesLoratidine is used in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis,hay fever and idiophathic urticaria. The Dosage for adults is 5mg once daily.

Contra-indicatlons of DesLoratidine include Hypersensitivity, pregnant and lactating females. Special Precautions have to be taken in case of  Renal impairment, alcoholic beverages intake as it may impair ability to drive or use  machinery. Side effects of DesLoratidine include Headache, dry mouth and fatigue.

Loratadine – brand name Claritin is a drug used in the treatment of allergies. It belongs to antihistamine gropy of drugs and is known for it’s non-sedating properties. This molecule was developed and patented by Schering-Plough Corporationin the year 2001. It was originally proposed to be an OTC – Iover The counter drug but was changed into a prescription medicine. Loratadine  is available under brand names like  Claritin, Claritin-D, Claritine, Clarityn, Clarityne or Fristamin.

Loratadine – Claritin is a (H 1) receptor antagonist and  penetrates very poorly into the central nervous system. Hence  it does not have CNC depression properties. Structurally it is related to azatadine. Loratadine effectively suppresses mast cell mediator release.

Loratadine – Claritin is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, acute coryza and  allergic dermatological disorders. The typical dosage is 10 mg once daily for adulys. In case of those in  6-12 year age group the dosage is  5 mg once a day. Loratadine is not recommended in children under 2 yrs. This drug should not be used during lactation as it passes into breast milk.

While Loratadine is devoid of major side effects, The Most common side-effects are Drowsiness, headache, psychomotor impairment, dry mouth, blurred vision, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Many cases of high blood pressure was reported on usage of Loratadine – claritin.

Other rarer side-effects of Loratadine are Hypotension, extrapyramidal effects, dizziness, confusion, depression, sleep disturbances, tremor, convulsions, palpitation, arrhythmias, hypersensitivity reactions, blood disorders, liver dysfunction, and angle-closure glaucoma.

Levocetirizine dihydrochloride - brand name Xyzal is a selective, long  acting peripheral H1   receptor antagonist antihistamine. The   increased polarity of Levocetirizin may decrease distribution of the drug into the CNS, resulting in reduced potential for adverse CNS effects. Drug tolerance does not occur as it does not readily cross the blood brain barrier. It does not cause sedation or interfere with mental alertness or memory function.  Levocetirizine dihydrochloride - Xyzal works by blocking the histamine receptors. While it may not stop  the actual release of histamines from mast cells it does prevents the binding of these histamines to its receptors. This effectively prevents the release of other allergy chemicals and increased blood supply to the area (ie) it prevents swelling and inflammation in the area. Thus it very effectively provides relief from the typical symptoms of hayfever and rhinitis.

Levocetirizine dihydrochloride - molecule was developed by UCB a multi national biopharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It is  available under the brand name Xyzal in the UK, Ireland, Austria, France, The Netherlands and Romania,. It is available as  Xuzal in Mexico and in Germany and Xozal in Greece. In Unites States Aventis - Sanofi has the permission to market Levocetirizine dihydrochloride under the brand name Xyzal.
Levocetirizine dihydrochloride Xyzal is used in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis,ocular   symptom  like redness, lacrimation and itching. It is also indicated in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria, urticaria dermographism, atopic eczema &contact dermatitis, also in acute allergic reactions due to drugs, food and insect bites.

Dosage: For adults and childern above 6 years  : Levocetirizine dihydrochloride  - Xyzal is given 5 mg as a single intake orally. For elderly  dosage is adjusted  on the basis of  renal function. 

Side Effctes of Xyzal. : Levocetirizine dihydrochloride Xyzal has to be used with caution during Pregnancy and during lactation it is secreted in breast milk. Contraindications Xyzal include severe renal impairment. Special precautions has to be taken by patients  intending to drive/ operate   machinery  or  engage   in   potentially hazardous activities should be warned not to take more than the recommended dose. Concurrent use with alcohol or other CNS depressant may cause reduction in alertness and impairment of performance. Although well tolerated some effects are headache, somnolence,  dry mouth,  mild drowsiness and G.I. disturbances. Drug Interactions: Rate of absorption is reduced with food.  Alcohol and CNS depressants may potentiate CNS side effects in sensitive patients.

Cetrizine hydrochloride (brand name zyrtec) is non sedating anti-histamine with a potent anti-allergic action. It posses strong affinity for histamine H receptors, and has no anti-cholinergic and anti-serotoninergic effects. Since it does not cross blood brain barrier it does not cause sedation or interfere with mental alertness or memory function.

Cetirizine hydrochloride is available under the brand name Zyrtec. Cetrizine is available in three different forms. It is available in chewable, non chewable and syrup form. Cetrizine hydrochloride is absorbed rapidly with food in all the forms.

Cetirizine Zyrtec is used in the treatment of all types of rhinitis. Cetirizine Zyrtec is used to treat symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis. These may be caused by allergens such as ragweed, grass and tree pollens. Adults and children above 2 years of age and older can take this medicine. The common symptoms like sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, tearing, and redness of the eyes are effectively treated with Cetirizine Zyrtec

It si also helpful in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis caused due to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and molds in adults and children 6 months of age and older. Symptoms treated effectively include sneezing, rhinorrhea, postnasal discharge, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, and tearing. Cetirizine Zyrtec is also used to treat Chronic Urticaria. It significantly reduces the occurrence, severity, and duration of hives and significantly reduces pruritus.

The most common zyrtec side effects in patients aged 12 years and older that occurred more frequently was somnolence. The other side effects of cetrizine zyrtec include abdominal pain, dry mouth, fatigue, insomnia and malaise. Contra indications OF cetirizine zyrtec include pregnancy and lactation. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption while on cetrizine zyrtec.