Latest news with #antihistamines
New York Times
15-07-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Does Benadryl Do More Harm Than Good?
Q: My allergist says that Benadryl isn't safe. What's the issue, and what should I use instead? When your nose is running and the achoos won't quit, you might reach for Benadryl. This drug — whose generic name is diphenhydramine — provides almost immediate allergy relief. And with Benadryl around since the 1940s, it's become the 'Kleenex' of antihistamines, said Dr. Anna Wolfson, an allergist at Massachusetts General Hospital. But experts believe it's time to say goodbye because of how older antihistamines like Benadryl cross the blood-brain barrier, causing grogginess and increasing the risk of falls, car accidents and potentially even dementia. If you're on a deserted island and Benadryl is the only allergy drug available, you should take it, Dr. Wolfson said. But in almost every other case, there are safer, better options. How does Benadryl work? Our bodies produce the chemical histamine to rally the immune system against germs. But the same alarm can be set off by springtime flowers, peanuts and other menaces. Antihistamines block this false alarm, helping prevent or relieve allergy symptoms. Benadryl, Zzzquil and other drugs with diphenhydramine can also make you drowsy, since histamine helps the brain stay alert, said Dr. Zachary Rubin, an Illinois-based allergist and author of the upcoming book, 'All About Allergies.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- The Sun
The 5 medications that could see you JAILED if you take them on holiday this summer – including hay fever pills
IF you're heading abroad this summer, packing some preventative medicines might seem like the sensible thing to do. But be warned, some common drugs, including antihistamines and painkillers, could land you with hefty fines or even jail time in certain countries. 2 While these meds are legal to buy over the counter in the UK, they're banned or tightly restricted in several countries. And being caught with them, even by accident, can mean your dream holiday turns into a nightmare. Here's what to watch out for: 1. Antihistamines Hay fever sufferers, take note. Japan has some of the strictest anti-stimulant drug laws in the world - and that includes antihistamines, the Foreign Office has previously warned. Popular allergy treatments like Vicks inhalers and Sudafed are banned and could get you arrested at the airport. Anyone caught bringing them in risks detention or deportation. 2. Codeine The opioid painkiller, codeine, is banned in over 25 countries, including several in Europe. Yet in the UK, you don't even need a prescription - codeine is available over the counter in pharmacies as co-codamol, which combines codeine with paracetamol. Even bringing small amounts of the stuff abroad to certain places can get you into serious trouble. In Hungary, it carries up to five years in jail. In Slovakia, it's three. Other risky destinations include: Austria - Up to six months in jail Belgium - Up to five years in jail Croatia - £550 to £2,250 in fines (€650 to €2,600), plus up to 90 days in jail Czechia - £510 fine (15,000 Kč) Finland - Up to six months in jail Luxembourg - £210 to £4,200 fine (€250–€5,000), plus up to six months in jail Romania - Up to two years in jail Sweden - Up to three years in jail Even in countries like Greece or Cyprus, you'll need a valid prescription to carry codeine. Always check the rules for your destination online before you travel, and speak to your GP in advance to get any necessary paperwork. 3. Sleeping pills The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a zero tolerance on an array of over-the-counter medications that are sold daily in the UK. Sleeping pills like temazepam, which are legal here, are strictly banned in the Emirates, and getting caught with them could land you behind bars. Even if you have a prescription from your GP, you'll need to apply for approval from the UAE Ministry of Health before travelling. 4. Cannabis-related products Even CBD oil with zero THC is illegal in countries like Singapore, the UAE, and Japan, among others. It doesn't matter if it's for anxiety or pain, all cannabis products are banned in these regions. Getting caught with CBD at the airport could lead to arrest, detention, or even deportation. For example, in China, it is illegal to bring CBD into the country, with possession carrying a potential jail time of seven years. This is because in some places, possession is treated the same way as carrying hard drugs. It's generally not recommended to travel abroad with any CBD based products. 5. ADHD medicines Stimulants used to treat ADHD are a major red flag in some countries. In Japan, they are completely banned, even with a prescription. To bring them in legally, you'll need special clearance from the Japanese government, including medical proof - a process that takes weeks. How to check what is allowed? You can check which medications you can take in and out of the UK here. The UK government also recommends checking with the relevant embassies before travelling to make sure that you don't break any rules. You can find the full list for embassy contacts here. British prescriptions are not accepted at international pharmacies, so you'll need to take enough medicine with you for your entire trip. Ensure that you take your prescription and doctor's letter wherever you are travelling. Consider having the doctor's letter translated into your destination's language to make the journey easier. The strict rules are designed to keep travellers safe and to prevent drug tourism. Can you take medication in your hand luggage? WHEN you're travelling overseas, it's important that you get all the packing done properly. If you require medication, you may be curious about whether you can bring it along on your flight. The short answer is yes - it is recommended that you put any medication in your hand luggage. The main reason being that if the luggage in the hold gets lost, you would still have your medicine to hand. Before travelling, you should check the airline's regulations, but most of them will allow it. Make sure to pack your medicines and any equipment such as needles, syringes, and others in their original and correctly labelled packages. You should also carry the prescription from your doctor, just in case you are questioned about the medication. Before packing your medication make sure that the expiry date will be valid for as long as you're abroad and also check how it needs to be stored. And be sure to check that your drugs are not banned in the country you are travelling to.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Worst of hay fever season could be around the corner, expert warns
Hay fever sufferers in Oxfordshire must not be complacent in treating symptoms this summer amid an outburst of weed pollen in the coming weeks, a consultant has warned. Ear, nose, and throat specialist Ali Qureishi has urged people to continue managing their hay fever with daily antihistamines or nasal steroid sprays. He said: "It's been an exceptionally dry spring, so our advice to anyone who suffers from hay fever is to keep taking your one-a-day antihistamine tablets or topical nasal steroid spray because the worst symptoms could still be yet to come." Ali Qureishi (Image: Fortitude Communications) The warning comes as the UK enters the final stage of hay fever season, dominated by weed pollen from plants such as ragweed, dock weed, and mugwort. Mr Qureishi said: "Our hay fever season typically starts in late March, and ends in September. "Within that period, our exposure to tree, grass, and weed pollen can vary based on the month and other factors such as temperature, rainfall, and wind conditions." Simple steps can help to reduce exposure, such as keeping windows closed on high pollen count days, drying clothes indoors, wearing sunglasses outdoors, and washing hands regularly. Mr Qureishi also recommended a year-round approach for those with ongoing symptoms, taking an antihistamine tablet everyday. Earlier this year, Mr Qureishi was confirmed as one of the medical professionals to partner with Welbeck Health Partners ahead of the launch of its Oxford clinic next year.
Medscape
19-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Calculator Predicts Antihistamine Response in Urticaria
Researchers validated a prognostic calculator that uses six readily available variables to predict which patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are likely to respond to antihistamine therapy. METHODOLOGY: The tool considers age, angioedema, anxiety/depression, disease duration, hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS) to predict response to treatment. To assess its accuracy, the researchers conducted a prospective cohort study involving 542 patients with CSU from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina. The calculator stratified patients as having a high or low probability of responding to antihistamines. The researchers used the 7-day UAS to determine clinical response, with a score of 6 or less indicating control of the disease. TAKEAWAY: The prognostic model had 78.6% accuracy, the researchers reported. It correctly predicted 82.9% of the nonresponders and 72.7% of the responders. The type of antihistamine used did not affect the performance of the model, the researchers found. Medications used in the study included loratadine, cetirizine, levocetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, and bilastine. IN PRACTICE: 'Predicting the clinical response can help to promptly identify patients who could benefit from the use of alternative therapies and avoid prolonged times when evaluating anti-H1 [antihistamine] therapeutic response (eg, start immediately with the highest dose and prioritize clinical appointment in a few weeks),' the study authors wrote. SOURCE: Jorge Sánchez, MD, PhD, with the University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online on June 4 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. LIMITATIONS: The study did not include children. The calculator needs to be validated on other continents, the authors said. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the University of Antioquia and Alma Mater de Antioquia Hospital. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
The Independent
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Drugs used to relieve allergies may harm our brains in the long run
Over-the-counter antihistamines, commonly used for allergies, colds, and sleep, may increase the risk of dementia, according to recent studies. First-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl, more easily cross the blood-brain barrier and impact acetylcholine, a key brain chemical for memory, posing a higher risk compared to second-generation options. A 2023 study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease linked frequent use of first-generation antihistamines to an increased risk of dementia in older adults. Dr. Pamela Tambini advises caution with over-the-counter antihistamines, noting they can impair thinking and potentially lead to long-term cognitive issues, especially in older adults. Doctors recommend exploring newer antihistamine options like Claritin and consulting with a healthcare provider to determine the safest and most effective treatment.
