Hidden
Risks: Drugs and Allergy Medications
Avoiding drugs that could precipitate an asthma attack (or, in
the case of severe adverse drug reaction, anaphylactic shock) is
not always easy. This is because some of the most likely asthma
triggers are the drugs themselves! One class of drugs, the
beta-blockers, is liable to cause severe attacks in any asthma
sufferer.
What You Should Tell Your Doctor if You Are Asthmatic
The importance of informing your physician of a previous
adverse drug reaction to any drug before being prescribed any
allergy medications or drugs for allergy-induced asthma cannot
be stressed enough. Tell your doctor if you use any of the drugs
listed in the table to the right. This list is by no means
comprehensive and represents only a sample.
|
Prescription Drugs |
albuterol, bitolterol, ephedrine, epinephrine,
isoproterenol, isoetharine, terenol, pseudoephedrine,
terutaline |
|
Allergy Medications |
ncluding any other drugs that contain the above, e.g.
cold medications, diet pills |
|
Beta-Blockers |
particularly propranalol, labetalol, atenolol and
timolol |
|
Antidepressants/MAO Inhibitors |
particularly phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine |
|
Non-Prescription Drugs |
aspirin, cold and flu remedies |
Also tell your doctor if you have received drug treatment in the
past for any of the following conditions:
• heart disease
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• overactive thyroid gland
• epilepsy
• depression.
The Dangers of Beta-Blockers
The ß2 antagonist (beta-blocker) drugs can be very dangerous for
asthmatics. This is because they interfere with the body's
normal autonomic system action that widens the airways.
Remember: Some of the most effective drugs used to treat all
forms of asthma, including allergy-induced asthma, are the beta
receptor agonists. Clearly, the asthmatic must avoid, at all
cost, any drugs that have the opposite effect.
Although some beta-blockers are less dangerous than others,
asthmatics should always bear in mind that all beta-blockers
have some action in blocking the ß2 receptors.
What is reassuring to know, however, is that diagnosed
asthmatics are rarely prescribed beta-blockers, unless in the
form of eye drops.
Although, not well documented, research suggests that taking
beta-blockers produces an increased risk for anaphylactic shock
caused by an adverse drug reaction among those with food
allergies.
Identifying Beta-Blockers
A beta-blocker's generic name can
generally be recognized by its ending:
"-olol"
Examples include propranalol, atenolol,
labetalol, timolol, oxprenolol,
acebutolol, metoprolol, sotalol, esmolol,
nadolol, bisoprolol and pindolol. |
Aspirin and Aspirin Type Drugs
Sensitivity to aspirin may trigger an adverse drug reaction
in the asthmatic. This can set off an asthma attack or
occasionally lead to the onset of anaphylactic shock.
Because this type of reaction doesn't appear to involve the
immune system, aspirin sensitivity is often referred to as a
"pseudo-allergy." From the asthmatic's point of view, however,
this description is entirely academic since the effect is the
same!
Asthmatics should avoid all forms of aspirin and medications
containing aspirin, including: Anadin, Aspro, Beecham's Powders,
Codiphen, Decrin, Disprin, Ecotrin, Equagesic, Migravess,
Solcode, Solprin, Veganin and Winsprin.
Also, if you have suffered from an adverse drug reaction to
aspirin in the past you may also react to compounds in the
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) group, including:
aloxiprin, diclofenac, fenbufen, ibuprofen, indomethacin,
mefenamic, naproxen, piroxicam and tolmetin.
Alternative Methods of Relieving Asthma Symptoms
If you are asthmatic and have a cold, sore throat,
influenza, bronchitis, or any other non-asthma related
respiratory type condition, seek medical advice immediately.
Discuss with your physician whether secondary respiratory
infection prevention is necessary or not. Under these
circumstances, most medical practitioners agree that asthmatics
should be given antibiotic medication.
And Finally . . . Prevention is Better than Cure!
If you are asthmatic and have previously suffered an adverse
drug reaction to allergy medications, take preventive measures
to avoid the need for these drugs in the first place! Here are a
few simple, practical measures you can take, in your everyday
life:
• If you are a smoker, the most useful thing you can do for
yourself is to
stop. Right NOW.
• Avoid passive smoking: steer clear of bars, clubs or other
environments
in which your ability to enjoy clean air is compromised.
• Insist on clean air in your home.
• The workplace is a danger zone for allergy-induced asthma
attacks. Take
positive steps to remove yourself from dangerous allergens
that you know
may trigger an attack.
• Have your vehicle checked for exhaust emissions.
• Try to avoid driving in dense traffic.
Source of Information
Drug Allergies
An
allergic reaction is a relatively rare side effect of
medication, but medicine such as penicillin and sulfa drugs can
cause the body's immune system to react. There's no cure for an
allergic reaction: avoiding the offending medication is the best
solution.
Reactions to medications vary, but the two most common
offenders, penicillin and sulfa drugs, can cause skin rashes and
hives. A more serious effect is anaphylaxis, which restricts
breathing and causes blood pressure to drop suddenly.
Anaphylaxis may occur within minutes of taking the medication,
or develop up to two hours later. Anaphylaxis is a rare but
serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Penicillin and sulfa drugs are by no means the only medications
that can set off your immune system: almost any prescription or
over-the-counter medication has the potential to do so. Learning
to avoid them and knowing how to get emergency treatment in
cases of accidental exposure are the key to controlling such
allergies.
Source of Information
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-
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For more info, please visit: Mold
Book.
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