Antihistamines - NHS Choices Antihistamines are medicines often used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives, conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites or stings. They're also sometimes used to prevent motion sickness and as a short- term treatment for sleeping difficulties (insomnia). Most antihistamines can be bought from pharmacies and shops, but some are only available on prescription. This page covers: Types of antihistamines. How to take them. Side effects. Taking them with other medicines, food or alcohol. Who can take them – including pregnancy advice. How they work. Types of antihistamine. There are many types of antihistamine. They're usually divided into two main groups: older antihistamines that make you feel sleepy – such as chlorphenamine, hydroxyzine and promethazine newer, non- drowsy antihistamines that are less likely to make you feel sleepy – such as cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine They also come in several different forms – including tablets, capsules, liquids, syrups, creams, lotions, gels, eye drops and nasal sprays. Which type is best? There's not much evidence to suggest any particular antihistamine is better than any other at relieving allergy symptoms. Some people find certain types work well for them and others do not. You may need to try more than one type to find one that works for you. Non- drowsy antihistamines are generally the best option, as they're less likely to make you feel sleepy. But types that make you feel sleepy may be better if your symptoms affect your sleep. Ask a pharmacist for advice if you're unsure which medicine to try. Not all antihistamines are suitable for everyone – see who can take antihistamines for more information. How to take antihistamines. Take your medicine as advised by your pharmacist or doctor, or as described in the leaflet that comes with it. Before taking an antihistamine, you should know: how to take it – including whether it needs to be taken with water or food, or how to use it correctly (if eye drops or a nasal spray) how much to take (the dose) – this can vary depending on things such as your age and weight when to take it – including how many times a day you can take it and when to take it (older types should be taken before bedtime) how long to take it for – some types can be used for a long time, but some are only recommended for a few days what to do if you miss a dose or take too much (overdose) The advice varies depending on the exact medicine you're taking. If you're not sure how to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist. Side effects of older types of antihistamines can include: sleepiness (drowsiness) and reduced co- ordination, reaction speed and judgement – don't drive or use machinery after taking these antihistamines because of this risk dry mouthblurred vision difficulty emptying your bladder Side effects of non- drowsy antihistamines can include: headachedry mouth feeling sick drowsiness – this is less common than with older types of antihistamines Check the leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of possible side effects and advice about when to get medical help. If you think your medicine has caused an unwanted side effect, you can report it through the Yellow Card Scheme. Taking antihistamines with other medicines, food or alcohol. Speak to a pharmacist or your GP before taking antihistamines if you're already taking other medicines. There may be a risk the medicines could affect each other, which could stop either from working properly or increase the risk of side effects. Examples of medicines that could cause problems if taken with antihistamines include some types of: It's best to avoid alcohol while taking an antihistamine, particularly if you're taking an older type of antihistamine, as this can increase the chances of it making you feel sleepy. Food and other drinks don't affect most antihistamines, but check the leaflet that comes with your medicine to make sure. Who can take antihistamines. Most people can safely take antihistamines. But speak to a pharmacist or your GP for advice if you: Some antihistamines may not be suitable in these cases. Your pharmacist or doctor can recommend one that's best for you. Always read the leaflet that comes with your medicine to check it's safe for you before taking it or giving it to your child. How antihistamines work. Antihistamines work by stopping a substance called histamine affecting the cells in your body. Histamine is a chemical released when the body detects something harmful, such as an infection. It causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell (known as inflammation), which helps protect the body. But in people with allergies, the body mistakes something harmless, such as pollen, for a threat. It then produces histamine, which causes symptoms such as rashes, a runny nose and/or sneezing. Antihistamines help stop this happening if you take them before you come into contact with the substance you're allergic to. Or they can reduce the severity of symptoms if taken afterwards.
Which herbal antibiotics treat SIBO, how herbal antibiotics work, and why they may be better than pharmaceutical antibiotics. Topical corticosteroids are the standard eczema treatment, but many other options are available. Find out more about your medicine. If you no longer have the leaflet that came with your medicine, you can search for an online version of it on the following websites: The leaflet will have detailed information about your particular medicine, including how to take it and what side effects you might get. Page last reviewed: 0. Next review due: 0. Liver Dysfunction: Common Symptoms . More extreme symptoms include atherosclerosis (build up of cholesterol along artery walls that create artery blockages), heart attack, and stroke. Digestive problems – Since the liver produces bile, abnormalities in bile production can lead to gallstones, intolerance to fatty foods and alcohol, abdominal bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and stomach pain. Nutrient malabsorption– When the liver is functionally sub- optimally, it cannot convert nutrients to their bio- available forms. Therefore, many nutrients pass through the body without being absorbed. To help ease the burden on the liver, make sure that you choose supplements that contain active forms. Many supplements on the market contain non- active forms of vitamins that inevitably pass through the body instead of being absorbed. Blood sugar problems – Since the liver is a key regulator of insulin, glucose, and glycogen, a dysfunctional liver can lead to unstable blood sugar levels, the precursor for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Neurological effects– When food is not metabolized efficiently due to a dysfunctional liver, the brain does not receive the proper nutrients it needs to function correctly. As a result, the brain is deprived of key nutrients. Symptoms include “brain fog,” depression, lack of anger control, poor concentration, and poor memory. Weakened immune system – The liver helps the body fight off infections. When the liver is overtaxed, the immune system cannot efficiently handle the toxic load. Symptoms include allergies, food intolerances and chemical sensitivities, skin rashes and inflammations, and increased risk of autoimmune diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Hormonal imbalances – Since the liver is a key regulator of hormones, a dysfunctional liver can result in abnormal levels of estrogen and testosterone (male/female hormones). Symptoms may include severe menopause and PMS symptoms for women. In both men and women, abnormal male and female hormone levels can dramatically increase the risk of heart attack. Also, failure of the liver to regulate thyroid hormones and insulin results in hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Other symptoms – Include bad breath, skin rashes, itchy skin (pruritus), offensive body odor, dark circles under the eyes, yellow discoloration of the eyes, red swollen itchy eyes (allergic eyes), acne rosacea, brownish spots on the skin (liver spots), red palms and soles which may also be itchy and inflamed, flushed facial appearance. Diagnosis. The following tests and procedures may help you find out if you have liver dysfunction: Blood tests –Initial blood tests can help diagnose inadequate liver function. These include. Bilirubin count – Bilirubin is a waste product that forms when red blood cells die and hemoglobin is broken down. This waste product is carried to the liver by binding to albumin. The liver converts bilirubin to a water- soluble form so it can be excreted by the body through urine and feces. If too much hemoglobin is broken down, or if bilirubin cannot be effectively eliminated by the body, the excess amounts in the blood will cause the skin to turn yellow (known as jaundice). Liver enzyme count – Liver enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the liver. These enzymes are normally found in liver cells. However, when liver cells are damaged, the enzymes leak out of these cells and make their way to the blood. Therefore, high liver enzymes in the blood may be a sign of liver damage. Liver biopsy – A small sample of liver tissue is extracted surgically and examined under a microscope to assess liver tissue damage. Computed Tomography (CT) Scan – A CT scan creates a very sensitive, three- dimensional picture of your liver. A small amount of radioactive dye is injected, and a camera shows how the dye is taken up by the liver. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – An endoscope (a lighted tube) is inserted through the stomach to reveal potential blockages of bile ducts. Online Self- assessments – Self- assessments, such as the Candidiasis Self- assessment and the Magnesium Assessment, can help you determine some of the root cause(s) of your chronic conditions. Learn more about Self- assessments. Liver Dysfunction Overview Common causes of liver dysfunction. Help me choose a natural and alternative treatment for liver dysfunction. Dietary and lifestyle recommendations that may help in the treatment of liver dysfunction. Conventional or prescription medications used in the treatment of liver dysfunction. Additional reading for liver dysfunction.
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