Allergy Medications

Steroids

Steroids, known medically as corticosteroids, reduce inflammation associated with allergies. They prevent and treat nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose due to seasonal or year-round allergies. They can also decrease inflammation and swelling from other types of allergic reactions.

Steroids are available as pills, for serious allergies or asthma, inhalers, for asthma, nasal sprays, for seasonal or year-round allergies, creams, for skin allergies or as an eye drop, for allergic conjunctivitis. Your doctor may prescribe a steroid in addition to other allergy medications.

The drugs are highly effective, but they must be taken daily to be of benefit -- even when you aren't feeling symptoms. In addition, it may take one to two weeks before the full effect of the medicine can be felt.

Some steroids include:

• Nasal steroids: Beconase, Flonase, Nasocort, Nasonex, Rhinocort , and Veramyst used to treat nasal allergy symptoms.
• Inhaled steroids: Azmacort, Beclovent, Flovent, and Pulmicort used to treat asthma. Advair is an inhaled drug that combines a steroid with another drug to treat asthma. Inhaled steroids are available only with a prescription.
• Eye drops: Alrex and Dexamethasone
• Oral steroids: Deltasone, also called prednisone.

What Are the Side Effects?

Steroids have many potential side effects, especially when given orally and for a long period of time.

Side effects with short-term use include:

• Weight gain
• Fluid retention
• High blood pressure

Side effects with long-term use include:

• Growth suppression
• Diabetes
• Cataracts of the eyes
• Bone thinning osteoporosis
• Muscle weakness

Side effects of inhaled steroids include cough and yeast infections of the mouth.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are inhaled medicines used to control asthma symptoms and are available only with a prescription. A short-acting bronchodilator is used to provide quick relief for asthma symptoms during an attack. Long-acting bronchodilators can provide up to 12-hours of relief from asthma symptoms, which is helpful to people who suffer from nighttime asthma problems.

How Do Bronchodilators Work?

Bronchodilators relax the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. This rapidly opens the airways, letting more air in and out of the lungs, improving breathing.

Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily.

Generally one or two puffs of the inhaler relieve the wheezing and chest tightness associated with a mild attack. It may be necessary to take more puffs for severe attacks.

Some types of bronchodilators include:

• Ventolin, Proventil
• Brethaire
• Tornalate
• Xopenex
• Alupent, Metaprel
• Maxair

What Are the Side Effects?

Bronchodilators are potent drugs. If overused, they can cause dangerous side effects such as high blood pressure and a fast heartbeat.

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