Medical, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals And Diseases Information

 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.

Clemastine Fumarate - Tavist is an Anti allergy, antihistamine and antipruritic agent. (antipruritic – anti hitching ). It is also classified as a veterinary medicine.It is an antihistamine used to treat or prevent allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, or watery eyes. Clemastine Fumarate may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. It is also available under brand name Tavist which is commonly used to treat allergic skin reactions in canines.

 Clemastine fumarate is a very effective antihistamine though it is bit pricey. It is now a first choice for treatment of itchy skin in canines. It has found to be helpful in 35% of itchy dogs and 55% of itchy cats

Clemastine fumarate  is indicated in Hay   fever   and   other   allergic rhinopathies; urticaria, pruritus, itching dermatoses as adjuvant in acute and chronic eczema, contact dermatitis, drug eruptions, insect stings and bites.

 Dosage:  For Adults and children over 12 years: 1 mg. morning and evening: in refractory cases: up to   6 mg per day. In Children of 1 to 3 years dosage is  0.25-0.5 mg.,  Clemastine fumarate is given twice daily basis for most animal patients.

Contraindications of Clemastine fumarate include Hypersensitivity, children under 1  year of age, narrow-angle glaucoma pyloroduodenal obstruction, stenosing peptic ulcer, prostatic hypertrophy with urinary retention or bladder neck obstruction, pregnancy & lactation.

Special precautions have to be taken while administering Clemastine fumarate   to patients with Glaucoma, tasks requiring mental alertness, those taking sedatives& tranquilizers and those with chronic hepatic/renal dysfunction. This drug is  not recommended under 1  year. During pregnancy use it with caution. It should not to be used during lactation. For elderly reduced dose of Clemastine fumarate should be given.

Common side effects of Clemastine fumarate   include  Fatigue, sedation, occasionally CNS stimulation,  particularly in children; dry mouth, headache, dizziness, skin rash, nausea, gastralgia and constipation. Clemastine fumarate has drug Interactions with Sedatives, hypnotics, MAO inhibitors and alcohol.

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.

Ketotifen fumarate – available under brand name Zaditor posseses marked anti-anaphylactic properties and is effective in preventing asthmatic attacks. But it will not abort established attacks of asthma. Once the attack has happened Ketotifen fumarate will not stop it. In Oral form Ketotifen fumarate is used in the treatment of allergic asthma and in it’s ophthalmic form it is used to treat allergic conjunctivitis, red and itchy eyes caused by allergens. The ophthalmic preparation is available under brand name Alaway.

It is commonly used in Prophylactic treatment of bronchial asthma, symptomatic treatment of allergic conditions including rhinitis and conjunctivitis. The typical dosage of Ketotifen fumarate is 1 mg twice daily with food and a maximum of 2 mg twice daily. For Children 6 months -2 yrs.: 0.5 mg twice daily with food and for those 2 yrs. onwards the dosage is 1 mg twice daily with food.

Contraindications of Ketotifen fumarate include a reversible fall in the thrombocyte count in patients receiving. Special Precautions have o be taken if systemic corticosteroids & ACTH are already taken by patient. They should be continued for a minimum two weeks after starting Ketotifen fumarate. Side effects of Zaditor Ketotifen fumarate include drowsiness, dry mouth and dizziness. Patient should not operate machinery or vehicles and avoid alcoholic drinks . Ketotifen fumarate may potentiate the effects of sedatives, hypnotics, anti-histamines and alcohol. Otherwise Ketotifen fumarate is considered safe in children,elderly and lactating women.

Terfenadine is an H, -receptor antagonist with no C.N.S. depressant activity and due to inability to penetrate into C.N.S. across the blood brain barrier and is non-sedating antihistamine with a potent anti-allergic action. Terfenadine is available under brand names like Seldance. Nowadays this is available only under prescriptions and is not widely prescribed by doctors due to advent of other new generation antihistamines with fewer side effects. Usage of terfenadine seldane has risks.

It can be used safely in patients with co-existing glaucoma and prostatic disorders where antihistamines with anti-cholinergic effects are undesirable. Terfenadine is used in the treatment of Allergic rhinitis for relief from-nasal congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhoea and ocular symptoms like redness, lacrimation and itching. Terfenadine is also used in the treatment of Allergic dermatological conditions like urticaria, dermogra-phism, atopic eczema and contact dermatitis. Other medical conditions like  Atopic and exercise induced asthma, acute allergic reactions due to drugs, foods, insect bites , Common cold as an adjunct to other agents used for symptomatic relief are also treated with Terfenadine

The typical dosage is  60 mg twice daily or 120 mg once daily. For children in 3-5 yrs Terfenadine is given  15 mg twice daily. For 6-12 yr it is  30-60 mg twice daily. Maximum dosage of 540 mg/day of Terfenadine has been used in the treatment of asthmatic patients.

 Contra-indications of Terfenadine  include Hypersensitivity to it or any of its ingredients. Special Precautions have to be taken for lower air way disease, Hepatic impairment and  Q.T. prolongation.  Terfenadine is not advised children below age 3 months. In Pregnancy: Safety not established. Terfenadine is howewer safe during lactation. For elderly dosage adjustment is required.

Side effects of Terfenadine include  C.N.S.  effects like drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, lack of concentration, G.I. disturbances,  Dry mouth/nose/throat, cough sore-throat, epistaxis. Photosensitivity, rash.  Terfenadine Drug interactions: It causes Cardiac abnormalities with erythromycin and other antibiotics, additive sedative effect with CNS depressants drugs. Cardiac arrhythmias can occur with concomitant use of ketoconazole and itraconazole.