Allergy and Asthma Medications

Drug Class: Antihistamines (H1 Receptor Blockers)

• Work by blocking the effect of histamine (H1), which is made by the body during an allergic reaction

• Used to reduce allergy/ allergic reaction symptoms, including itching, runny nose, watery eyes

Hydroxyzine

• Class: antihistamines

• Brand: Atarax Vistaril

• Also has anti-anxiety properties

Cetirizine

• Class: Antihistamines

• Brand: Zyrtec

Loratadine

• Class: antihistamines

• Brand: Claritin

Drug class: corticosteroids “steroids”

• Used to treat a wide range of inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune conditions; use is not limited to asthma and allergies

• Work by decreasing inflammation and reducing the activity of the immune system; resemble cortisol, a hormone made by the adrenal glands

• Many different dosage forms: intranasal, oral, topical, inhaled, and injectable formulations

• many end with the suffix “-one” but not all

Sub drug class: Intranasal steroids (nasal spray)

• Used for symptoms of nonallergic and allergic rhinitis “hay fever” which includes sneezing, runny nose, and itchy and watery eyes

Fluticasone

• Class: Class: corticosteroids, intranasal steroids (nasal spray)

• Brand: flonase

Sub drug class: topical steroids (cream, ointment, lotion, etc)

Class: Class: corticosteroids,topical steroids

• For a wide variety of allergic reactions/ inflammation of the skin such as hives and rashes, like insect bites/ stings, poison ivy, rash from an allergic reaction

Hydrocortisone cream

• Class: corticosteroids, topical steroids

• Brand: cortizone

Triamcinolone Cream

Class: corticosteroids, topical steroids

Brand: Aristocort/ kenalog

Sub drug class: Oral steroids (tablets/ liquid taken by mouth)

• Used for a wide variety of allergic reactions/ inflammation of the body to decrease the immune response.

• Ex: lung disease flare-up, acute bronchitis, widespread rashes, prevention of organ transplant rejection

Prednisone

Class: Class: corticosteroids, oral steroids

Brand: deltasone

Methylprednisolone

• Class: corticosteroids, tablets/ liquid taken by mouth

• Brand: medrol

Prednisolone

• Class: corticosteroids, oral steroids

• Brand: prelone, orapred

Sub drug class: inhaled steroids

• Maintenance therapy for asthma and COPD and other chronic lung disease

Budesonide

• Class: corticosteroids, inhaled steroids

• Brand: pulmicort

Drug class: Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists

• Work by blocking leukotrienes, which are released by the body when an allergen enters the airway causing swelling in the lungs/ tightening of muscles around the airway.

• Used in the treatment of both allergies and asthma

Montelukast

• Class: leukotriene receptor antagonists

• Brand: singulair

Beta 2 Agonist Bronchodilators

• Work by binding beta 2 receptors in the lungs which promotes bronchial smooth muscle relaxation

• Used in the treatment of asthma and other lung diseases to increase airflow to the lungs

• Inhaler and nebulizer formulations

Albuterol

• Class: beta 2 agonist bronchodilators

• Brand: proventil, ventolin

Anticholinergic/ Antimuscarinic Bronchodilators

• Work by inhibiting muscarinic (M3) receptors in the smooth muscle of the airway which leads to bronchodilation

• Used to prevent bronchospasm in people with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD

• Long- acting inhaler formulation in top 200 drugs

Tiotropium

• Class: anticholinergic/ antimuscarinic Bronchodilators

• Brand: Spiriva

Steroid/ beta 2 Bronchodilator Combinations

• Maintenance therapy used to control and prevent symptoms caused by asthma and COPD

• Include steroid plus long-acting beta 2 agonist

Budesonide/ formoterol

• Class: steroid/ beta 2 bronchodilator combinations

• Brand: symbicort

Fluticasone/ salmeterol

• Class: steroid/ beta 2 bronchodilator combinations

• Brand: advair

Drug class: Antimuscarinic and beta 2 bronchodilator combos

• Used to treat and prevent wheezing and shortness of breath from chronic lung diseases, including COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis

• Includes both types of bronchodilators (antimuscarinic M3 and beta 2)

Ipratropium/ albuterol

Class: antimuscarinic and beta 2 bronchodilator combos

Brand: Combivent, Duoneb