What antihistamines are, is best known to people who periodically suffer from allergies. Sometimes only a timely medicine can save them from painfully itchy rashes, severe coughing, swelling and redness. 4th generation antihistamines are modern drugs that affect the body instantly. In addition, they are quite effective. The result from them lasts a long time.
Effects on the body
To understand the difference between antihistamines of the 4th generation, you should understand the mechanism of action of antiallergic drugs.
These drugs block H1 and H2 histamine receptors. This helps to reduce the reaction of the body with a histamine mediator. Thus, the relief of an allergic reaction occurs. In addition, these funds serve as an excellent prevention of bronchospasm.
Consider antihistamines of all generations. This will help to understand the advantages of modern tools.
First generation drugs
This category includes sedatives. They block H1 receptors. The duration of action of these drugs is 4-5 hours. Medicines have an excellent anti-allergic effect, but have a number of disadvantages, including:
- pupil dilation;
- dry mouth
- blurred vision;
- drowsiness;
- decreased tone.
Common first-generation drugs are:
- Diphenhydramine;
- "Diazolin";
- "Tavegil";
- "Suprastin";
- Peritol
- Pipolfen;
- "Fenkarol."
These drugs are usually prescribed for people suffering from chronic diseases in which breathing difficulties (bronchial asthma) are observed. In addition, they will have a beneficial effect in acute allergic reactions.
2nd generation drugs
These medicines are called non-sedative. Such drugs no longer have an impressive list of side effects. They do not provoke drowsiness, a decrease in brain activity. Medicines are in demand for allergic rashes and itching of the skin.
The most popular drugs:
- Claritin
- "Treksil";
- "Zodak";
- Fenistil;
- "Gistalong";
- Semprex.
However, a major drawback of these drugs is the cardiotoxic effect. That is why these funds are prohibited for use by people suffering from cardiovascular pathologies.
3rd generation drugs
These are active metabolites. They have excellent anti-allergic properties and are characterized by a minimum list of contraindications. If we talk about effective anti-allergic drugs, then these drugs are just modern antihistamines.
What drugs from this group are the most popular? These are the following medicines:
- Zirtek;
- "Tsetrin";
- Telfast.
They do not have a cardiotoxic effect. Often they are prescribed for acute allergic reactions and asthma. They provide excellent results in the fight against many dermatological diseases.
4th generation drugs
Recently, specialists have invented the latest drugs. These are antihistamines of 4 generations. They differ in speed of exposure and long-lasting effect. Such drugs perfectly block H1 receptors, eliminating all the undesirable symptoms of allergies.
The great advantage of such medications is that their use does not harm the functioning of the heart. This allows us to consider them quite safe means.
However, one should not forget that they have contraindications. Such a list is quite small, mainly children’s age and pregnancy. But still it is recommended to consult a doctor before use. It will be useful to study the instructions in detail before using 4th generation antihistamines.
The list of such drugs is as follows:
- "Levocetirizine";
- Erius
- "Desloratadine";
- Ebastin
- Fexofenadine;
- Bamipin;
- "Fenspiride";
- "Cetirizine";
- Xizal.
Best drugs
It is quite difficult to single out the most effective drugs from 4th generation drugs. Since such drugs were developed not so long ago, there are few newer antiallergic drugs. In addition, all drugs are good in their own way. Therefore, it is not possible to isolate the best antihistamines of the 4th generation.
Medicines containing phenoxofenadine are very much in demand. Such drugs do not have a hypnotic and cardiotoxic effect on the body. These funds today rightfully take the place of the most effective anti-allergic medicines.
Cetirizine derivatives are often used to treat skin manifestations. After using 1 tablet, the result is noticeable after 2 hours. However, it persists for a fairly long time.
The active metabolite of the famous "Loratadin" is the medicine "Erius". This drug is 2.5 times more effective than its predecessor.
The Xisal medicine deserved great popularity. It perfectly blocks the release of inflammatory mediators. As a result of such exposure, this tool reliably eliminates allergic reactions.
The medicine "Cetirizine"
This is a fairly effective tool. Like all modern antihistamines of the 4th generation, the medicine in the body is practically not metabolized.
The drug has proven to be highly effective in skin rashes, as it is able to penetrate perfectly into the epidermis. Long-term use of this medication in babies suffering from early atopic syndrome significantly reduces the risk of progression of such conditions in the future.
2 hours after taking the pill, the necessary persistent effect occurs. Since it persists for a long time, it is enough to use 1 pill per day. To achieve the desired result, some patients can take 1 tablet every other day or twice a week.
The medicine has a minimal sedative effect. However, patients suffering from kidney pathologies should use this agent with extreme caution.
The drug in the form of a suspension or syrup is approved for use in crumbs from two years.
The medicine "Fexofenadine"
This drug is a metabolite of terfenadine. Such a medicine is also known as "Telfast." Like other antihistamines of the 4th generation, it does not provoke drowsiness, is not metabolized, and does not affect psychomotor functions.
This tool is one of the safe, but extremely effective drugs among all anti-allergic medicines. The drug is in demand for any manifestations of allergies. Therefore, doctors prescribe it for almost all diagnoses.
“Fexofenadine” antihistamines are prohibited for children under 6 years of age.
The drug "Desloratadine"
This medicine also belongs to the popular antiallergic drugs. It can be applied to any age groups. Since medical pharmacists have proven its high safety, such a drug is available in pharmacies without a prescription.
The drug has a small sedative effect, does not have a detrimental effect on cardiac activity, does not affect the psychomotor sphere. Often, the medicine is well tolerated by patients. In addition, it does not interact with other medications .
One of the most effective medicines from this group is considered to be the preparation "Erius". This is a fairly powerful anti-allergic medicine. However, during pregnancy it is contraindicated. In the form of a syrup, the medicine is allowed for use by babies from 1 year old.
The drug "Levocetirizine"
This tool is better known as Suprastinex, Cesera. This is an excellent drug that is prescribed for patients suffering from an allergic reaction to pollen. The drug is prescribed in case of seasonal manifestations or year-round. The drug is in demand in the treatment of conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis.
It is recommended to take the medicine in the morning or with meals. The drug should not be combined with alcohol.
Conclusion
New generation drugs are active metabolites of previously used drugs. Undoubtedly, this property makes antihistamines of the 4th generation extremely effective. Medicines in the human body are not metabolized, while giving a long and pronounced result. Unlike the means of previous generations, such drugs do not have a detrimental effect on the liver.