Most people look forward to the onset of spring, as they associate this time of year with beauty, warmth. However, for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, the approach of spring days causes completely opposite emotions. After all, the color of plants can turn life into real hard labor. Tearing and constant nasal congestion significantly worsen the quality of life of the patient. Therefore, it is so important to know which drugs will help relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Most often in such situations, the drug "Allergodil" is prescribed. Analogues of the drug can also help with various manifestations of allergies, but here are some of them better, let's try to figure it out.
How does Allergodil medicine work?
Being a strong anti-allergic agent, the drug is used to treat year-round and seasonal riconjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. In addition to a long antihistamine effect, it has a pronounced membrane-stabilizing and anti-inflammatory effect. Azelastine, which is the main active component of the drug, inhibits the release and synthesis of mediators of an allergic reaction, and also quickly reduces the number of eosinophilic cells and ICAM-1 (molecular adhesion cells).
In addition, the results of clinical studies show that the drug in the recommended calculated doses significantly slows down the bronchospasm induced by FAT and leukotrienes.
Indications
Allergodil found its application both in ophthalmology and in otolaryngology. The drug in the form of a nasal spray is prescribed for allergic rhinitis. It is also effective for vasomotor rhinitis, the clinical manifestations of which are rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, postnasal syndrome and sneezing.
As for the medicine in the form of drops, the use is advisable as a treatment and prevention of allergic conjunctivitis (both seasonal and non-seasonal).
Side effects
Like other medicines, Allergodil may cause adverse reactions. So, against the background of the use of a drug in the form of a spray, signs of irritation of the nasal mucosa may appear: sneezing, burning, slight bleeding. In isolated cases, the use of the drug rash, skin itching, hives, dizziness and weakness are noted . It is worth noting that, like Allergodil (nasal spray), analogues have a large number of side effects.
As for the use of the drug in the form of drops, it is possible to increase lacrimation and eye sensitivity, irritation, swelling, redness, dry eyelids, blepharitis. In some cases, a change in the color gamut of the conjunctival membrane is noted.
In addition, regardless of the form of the drug used, in some patients dysgeusia, dry skin and dyspnea are recorded.
The drug "Alomid"
With seasonal conjunctivitis, the doctor may prescribe Allergodil. Analogs in the form of drops, which are based on another active substance, are characterized by an identical mechanism of action on the human body. So, for example, a specialist, after examining the patient’s eyes, may recommend Alomid.
The drug is released only in the form of eye drops. It uses lodoxamide as the main active ingredient, which stabilizes mast cell membranes. In addition, the drug inhibits the release of histamine, as a result of which the inhibition of hypersensitivity reactions occurs.
And what do patients think about Alomid?
Along with a large number of positive reviews about the drug "Alomid" there is a list of negative opinions on this subject. And almost all of them are based on the fact that the effect of treatment is observed only after a few days. Therefore, many after one or two days of using the drug are outraged that their condition has not improved. They arbitrarily stop treatment and replace the drug with another.
In addition, negative reviews about the medication are also due to the fact that when using the drops, the patient experiences not only significant discomfort, but also pain. Such problems do not arise when using Allergodil medication - eye drops painlessly affect the mucous membrane of the eye.
The medicine "Zaditen"
Another remedy that is similar to the mechanism of action with Allergodil is Zaditen. To date, it is presented to the consumer in three main forms: tablets, syrup and eye drops. As the main active ingredient, the substance ketotifen is used.
But as for the indications for use, then, like the Allergodil drug, the Zaditen eye drops are prescribed for patients suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. Ketotifen effectively blocks the release of mast cells from substances that are involved in the inflammatory process (prostaglandins, leukotrienes, histamines), and is also responsible for stabilizing the membranes of these cells.
It is worth saying that not only the Allergodil preparation, drops-analogues, in particular Zaditen, also prevent the development of an allergic reaction of an immediate type.
Reviews about the drug
Thanks to its quick action, Zaditen today has earned a lot of positive reviews from both doctors and grateful patients. An important role in this reputation was also played by the fact that the medication, although it has a large number of side effects, occurs only in 1-2% of cases.
Despite the fact that the drug effectively and quickly copes with an allergic reaction, it is not recommended to use it without a doctor’s prescription. After all, only a specialist, having familiarized himself with the patient’s medical history, can choose the right medication in each case.
Means "Opatanol"
Like the Allergodil drug, analogues, such as Opatanol eye drops, are prescribed for allergic conjunctivitis. This medication can be recommended for the treatment of adults and children from three years. Moreover, the dosage, regardless of age, remains unchanged. The active substance of this medication is olopatadine, which inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells .
Having a pronounced antihistamine effect, the drug does not affect seratonin receptors, m 1 - and m 2 -cholinergic receptors, α-adrenergic receptors, as well as dopamine receptors.
Opinion of patients about the drug "Opatanol"
This medication has established itself as an effective tool that is used for allergic conjunctivitis. However, there are negative reviews about it, which are caused by side effects. So, in almost 5% of cases, patients complain of pain and burning in the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, keratitis, conjunctival hyperemia, blurred vision and lacrimation.
Reactin
To date, in pharmacies you can buy analogues similar to the mechanism of action with the Allergodil drug. And one of them is Reactin, which is available in the form of both a nasal spray and eye drops. This drug is intended for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis in adults and children from 6 years.
The active ingredient of the drug is the substance levocabastine, which is a selective blocker of H 1 histamine receptors.
Patient reviews
Due to the fact that the local effect occurs within 5-7 minutes and lasts 11-12 hours, reviews about the drug are most flattering. However, it is impossible to say that there are no patients who are dissatisfied with the use of the medicine. Like the Allergodil drug, analog drops, in particular Reactin medicine, have a fairly extensive list of side effects. From the digestive system it can be nausea. Drowsiness, dizziness, or headache can respond to the central nervous system. The respiratory system may cause coughing, nosebleeds, and pain in the larynx and pharynx.
The medicine "Ifiril"
In allergic conjunctivitis, not only Allergodil is prescribed, analogues (eye drops), such as Ifiril, are also often recommended for patients. This medication has a pronounced membrane stabilizing effect, prevents the release of leukotrienes, histamine and other biologically active substances from mast cells.
This anti-allergic agent can be used by adults and children over 4 years old, but during lactation and pregnancy its use is strictly prohibited.
The opinion of patients about the drug
Allergic conjunctivitis is a disease that significantly impairs a person’s quality of life. Therefore, each patient seeks to get rid of the clinical manifestations of the disease as soon as possible. Using the “Ifiril” eye drops, unfortunately, it will not be possible to quickly achieve a therapeutic effect. That is why many patients speak negatively about the drug.
However, there are those who underwent a full course of treatment with the medication, and received a noticeable clinical effect.
The medicine "Tizin"
In acute allergic rhinitis, patients are recommended to use drugs that relieve swelling of the mucous membranes. Such a medicine is not only the Allergodil medication (spray). Analogs, such as Tizin, can also cope with the task.
Xylometazoline, which is the active ingredient in this medicine, is an alpha-adrenergic agonist. It has a pronounced vasoconstrictor effect, reduces hyperemia and swelling of the nasal passages, and also improves discharge. Today in the pharmacy you can buy 0.05% and 0.1% nasal spray. The first is designed to treat children from 2 to 6 years old, the second - for older crumbs.
Due to the fact that the clinical effect occurs within 5-10 minutes and the condition of the child improves significantly, mothers respond positively to this drug.
Means "Histimet"
Another analogue of the Allergodil drug is the Histimet drug. Its active component is the substance levocabastine, which blocks histamine H1 receptors. The drug is available in the form of a nasal spray and eye drops. Effective for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis in children from six years of age and adults.
Like the Allergodil preparation, analogues for the nose, including the Histimet drug. have many contraindications. And one of them is the period of pregnancy and lactation. In addition, the medication has an extensive list of side effects. So, in 5% of cases, patients complain of a headache, in 1-3% cough, shortness of breath, blurred vision, lacrimation, nausea, myalgia, etc. appear. It is because of the large number of side effects that the drug’s reviews are not the best.