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Modern H1-Blocker to Combat the Winter Allergy
Published at: Monday, 19. November 2007
People with red, itchy and runny noses are a common sight in every doctor’s surgery during the winter months. Not all of them have a flu-like viral infection though. In many patients, the cause is allergic rhinitis. Besides pollen, this can be caused by foods, pets and house dust mites. The house dust mite allergy in particular has high season during cold, damp weather. Colloquially, this is referred to as the ‘winter allergy’. The topical antihistamine azelastine (Allergodil®) H1-type blocker not only effectively reduces the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but thanks to its rapid response and its good tolerability, it also contributes to a significantly increased quality of life for patients.
After pollen, house dust mites are the second most common cause of allergic respiratory illnesses. In western industrial countries in particular, they are increasing very quickly. Part of the reason for this is also the way we live: houses are well insulated, there is no longer a sufficient amount of air circulation, people ventilate their houses too infrequently, sleeping and living areas are fitted with very deep pile carpets, and frequent cooking and showering promote a constantly moist and warm climate, which favours the reproduction of mites. When people begin to heat their homes and, as a result, the air humidity is reduced, the majority of house dust mites die off, but by that time masses of excrement have accumulated. The house dust mite’s faeces are what actually trigger an allergy. It decomposes into miniscule particles, and with every movement in the room and as a result of the rising warm air from the heaters, it is dispersed and breathed in. In autumn and winter, people tend to spend more time in enclosed rooms, and so they are more intensively exposed to this strain than during the warm part of the year.
The symptoms of a house dust allergy can occur all year round (perennial allergy), but they are most severe at the beginning and end of the heating period. The primary symptom of the house dust mite allergy is nasal hyperactivity: sneezing, itching, clear secretion and nasal obstruction. Further allergic complaints, however, can also be itching and watery eyes (conjunctivitis), skin reactions and, less frequently, coughing or a ringing in the ears, but sometimes also breathing difficulties and allergic asthma. The complaints typically occur at night or in the morning after waking up, and also when making the bed or cleaning. The concentration levels of the mite allergen in a domestic environment are in direct relation to the severity of the symptoms it triggers. So the best form of treating a dust mite allergy is the total elimination of allergens. This is why the doctor should be fully informed about the individual sensitisation spectrum of his patient and also the character of the patient’s domestic environment.
For treating the condition with drugs, the active ingredient azelastine – an H1-blocker type of topical antihistamine – is available, which, unlike other antihistamines, has an anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect and also stabilises the mast cells, and effectively reduces all symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Due to its rapid response (10 to 12 minutes), the patient must only take the medication when the symptoms become apparent. It is not necessary to take the medication on a regular basis. Azelastine works for up to 12 hours.
Azelastine is available as Allergodil® akut nasal spray and Allergodil® akut eye drops. It works particularly effectively because it is absorbed via the epithelial layer of the mucous membranes in the nose and eyes and fights the inflammation where it occurs. As a result, treatment with azelastine is also less of a strain on the human organism. Long-term use throughout the whole year is also possible. Indications for the active ingredient are seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis and also non-allergic (vasomotoric) rhinitis. Azelastine can also be used for the treatment of complaints and also as a means of prevention.
About Meda AB, Sweden
MEDA AB (publ) is an international specialist pharmaceuticals company, which concentrates on marketing and market-related product development. Acquisitions and long-term partnerships are the key factors in their corporate strategy. Meda is represented in 26 countries with local branches of its own. Over 1,500 people are employed in marketing and sales. Meda products are sold in approximately 120 countries around the world. Meda shares are listed as large cap on the OMX Nordic Stock Exchange. You can find more information by visiting www.meda.se.
For further information:
www.azelastine.info
www.admit-online.info
For more detailed information, please contact:
Dr. Larisa Leibersperger
MEDA Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
Benzstrasse 1
61352 Bad Homburg
Germany
Tel.: +49 6172 888 2631
Email: larisa.leibersperger@medapharma.de
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