Inhaled steroids for asthma is the recommended first-line treatment for patients who are uncontrolled. Inhaled steroids have led to fewer hospitalizations and deaths over the past 10-15 years. Recent Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, recommend in mild asthma, intermittent use of an inhaled steroid and long acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) on an as needed basis […]
Nasal Polyps Treatment; Past, Present and Future
Nasal polyps treatment have shown great advances recently, and many more treatments are on the horizon. Nasal polyps are used to describe chronic rhinosinusitis associated with the formation of nasal polyps. Nasal polyps affect 2-4% of adults globally. About 50% of patients have existing allergies. Nasal polyps are semitranslucent, pale grey, grape-like, benign inflammatory lesions […]
Astepro OTC now available without a prescription
Astepro OTC has now been approved by the FDA without a prescription. The generic name for Astepro is Azelastine. Azelastine comes in 2 different strengths, 0.1% and 0.15%. The 0.15% is the one that is going OTC. Astepro OTC is a nasal antihistamine similar to Claritin, Allegra, Benadryl or Zyrtec, but it is in the […]
Capsaicin for Nonallergic Rhinitis
Capsaicin nasal spray may be an effective treatment for patients who have nonallergic rhinitis. A significant proportion (25-30%) of patients suffering from rhinitis have nasal symptoms without an infection or allergies, this is referred to nonallergic rhinitis. Up to 50% of these patients have idiopathic rhinitis after excluding work, elderly, gustatory, hormonal and drug induced […]
Is Clarinex safe during Pregnancy?
Is Clarinex safe during pregnancy? Clarinex, generic name is desloratadine does not have safety data to use during pregnancy. Loratadine (Claritin) has been previously studied and found no risk of adverse fetal outcomes during pregnancy and is considered safe. Desloratadine is the main active metabolite of Loratadine. In a previous post we described the difference […]
New Sublingual Tree Tablet
A new sublingual tree tablet is currently being developed for the treatment of tree pollen induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Allergic rhinitis is estimated to affect 500 million individuals worldwide and is considered a global health problem. It leads to lower school and work performance. Allergic rhinitis is also a risk factor for asthma development. Currently allergy […]
Steroids for Asthma Exacerbations
Steroids for asthma exacerbations is commonly used by doctors. Asthma is characterized by many patients with recurrent exacerbations. Asthma exacerbations fill emergency rooms and are a major cause of hospitalizations. In the ER the treatment consists primarily of albuterol and systemic steroids. Albuterol is readily given at home, but oral steroids such as prednisone or […]
Fasenra (Benralizumab) for Severe Asthma
Fasenra (benralizumab) is a new 30 mg subcutaneous injection being developed by AstraZeneca. Fasenra has been shown to help patients with severe asthma cut back on oral steroids. Fasenra is the trade/brand name of the monoclonal antibody, Benralizumab. Benralizumab (Fasenra) binds to the alpha chain of the IL-5 receptor present on both eosinophils and basophils, […]
Odactra Sublingual House Dust Mite Allergen Approved by FDA
Odactra the first sublingual house dust mite allergen, has been approved by the FDA. Odactra will be administered under the tongue and it is used to treat house dust mite induced perennial allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis for adults 18-65 years of age. House dust mite is one of the most common perennial aeroallergens affecting […]
Does Xolair Work for Eczema?
Does Xolair work for eczema? Is a question that has been asked by many atopic dermatitis sufferers since the drug came out. Omalizumab targets IgE and many patients with eczema have extremely high levels of IgE. The only problem is that it approved for patients who have asthma whose IgE go up to 700 IU/ml, […]