How To Tell Them Apart
Sinusitis and allergies share certain symptoms, particularly nasal discharge and, in some cases, headaches. But there are several important differences .
Usually, symptoms and medical history are sufficient for doctors to diagnose the problem. But certain tests can sometimes help confirm whether the congestion stems from allergies or a bacterial or viral infection. For example, a nasal smear that contains many white blood cells, called neutrophils, can suggest a bacterial infection, while few or no neutrophils can indicate a viral infection instead. And a nasal smear with many eosinophils, another type of white blood cell, can suggest an allergy.
Some doctors recommend CT scans of the nasal passages when they suspect sinusitis, but the allergy, asthma, and immunology group and the American College of Radiology now recommend against that, saying that scans are necessary only if you have frequent or chronic sinusitis or are considering sinus surgery.
Common Conditions People Have *:
* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.
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What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Fexofenadine And Pseudoephedrine
Do not use fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication if you have:
- kidney disease
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Benefits Of Nasal Steroid Sprays For Allergies
Saline nasal irrigations daily will help wash allergens out of the nose before they have a chance to become engaged with the nasal mucous membranes.
Nasal steroid sprays such as Flonase® , Nasacort ® or Rhinocort® and Sensimyst® will help to reduce nasal and sinus inflammation. These can be used in addition to oral antihistamines to treat upper respiratory allergies . They have few side effects but have been known to cause nosebleeds with extended use.
How Should Claritin Be Taken
Claritin is available as a 10 mgtablet, a 5 or 10 mg rapidly-disintegrating tablet, a 10 mg chewable tablet, and a syrup . Claritin is taken once a day. Drug interactions may occur with certain antibiotics, antifungal medications, and acid-reducing drugs. Warnings may apply to individuals who have asthma, kidneydisease, or liver disease. People who have phenylketonuria should avoid certain brands of orally disintegrating tablets that may contain aspartame. Claritin is generally avoided during pregnancy and nursing. Pregnant women may take Claritin only if it is clearly needed. Nursing mothers should consult their doctor before breastfeeding. Claritin should not be used in children younger than 6 years of age unless directed by a doctor. Chewable tablets should not be used in children younger than 2 years of age unless directed by a pediatric doctor.
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Is Allegra Or Allegra
Both Allegra and Allegra-D are effective medications for treating allergy symptoms. However, Allegra-D is more suitable for relieving congestion and sinus pressure because of the added pseudoephedrine. Currently, there are no head-to-head trials comparing Allegra and Allegra-D.
Compared to first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl , Allegra has less sedating side effects. In this regard, Allegra can be considered safer than older antihistamines.
According to a review of second-generation antihistamines, Allegra was found to be comparable to drugs like Zyrtec and Claritin for treating allergic rhinitis. But, Zyrtec may be more effective than Allegra for treating hives.
The best seasonal allergy medicine is the one that works best for you and your specific symptoms. Consult with your healthcare provider to find the most effective allergy drug for you. One drug may be better depending on your overall health and other drugs you may be taking.
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Should I Use A Nasal Spray For A Sinus Infection
Nasal sprays are often used to soothe symptoms caused by a sinus infection or acute sinusitis. Symptoms of a sinus infection can include inflammation in the nose, congestion, postnasal drip, runny nose with green or yellow mucus, cough, sinus pain and more. There are four main types of nasal sprays: corticosteroids, nasal decongestants, sodium chloride, and cromolyn sodium.
Corticosteroid and sodium chloride nasal sprays are used to help soothe allergy symptoms such as a stuffy nose. Nasal decongestants relieve nasal congestion in the upper respiratory tract. Cromolyn sodium is an anti-inflammatory medication helpful in treating sinus infections caused by allergies. One of our allergists can determine which spray will best treat your symptoms.
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Inhale Menthol And Camphor
Another inhaled odor that can help open up sinus passages is menthol, which is an ingredient in popular ointments that are used specifically to treat a stuffy nose. These ointments also contain eucalyptus oil and camphor, which combine with menthol to create a powerful scent that immediately relieves sinus pressure. This ointment can be rubbed on your chest and under your nose to deliver its soothing benefits. Unlike eucalyptus oil, this ointment should not be placed in the mouth.
Coverage And Cost Comparison Of Allegra Vs Allegra
Allegra and Allegra-D are over-the-counter medicines that are not usually covered by Medicare and insurance plans. The retail cost of Allegra is usually around $15 to $90, depending on the strength and quantity of the tablets. If you have a prescription, you can get generic Allegra or Allegra-D for around $10 and $15 respectively. Check the SingleCare search tool to find out how much you can save at your local pharmacy.
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Does Allegra Work For Sinus Infections And Pressure
pietrek32065 over a year ago
Loading…
eleen41773 over a year ago
over a year ago
Hello there,
I have major problems when it comes to the allergies andsinus infections and at first I was using all possible medications and ofcourse I was combining them to find the best possible solution, because thereis no one medication that can solve all your problems when it comes to thesinus infections.
Later on my mother started to prepare me mix of chamomileand mint tea and I was inhaling the steam and believe it or not this washelping more than any other medication. So maybe you could try the same thing andmaybe you will discover that it helps a lot. I dont have better solution, but Iam quite satisfied for the moment.
Foods To Avoid To Reduce Allergic Rhinitis
A number of common foods are known to cause or worsen sinus symptoms. You can assess your reaction to these foods by eating an elimination diet for 10 days, followed by the introduction of each food to gauge sensitivity.
Although the Australian dairy corporation and dieticians dismiss the link, patients affected by allergies to dairy products are well aware they increase the production of phlegm and mucus in the upper respiratory tract and nasal passages. Dairy products include cows milk, cheese, yoghurt, custard, cream cheese, and cream.
Drinking too much alcohol or coffee dehydrates the body, hardens mucus, and inflames sinus and nasal membranes. Caffeine acts as a diuretic and dehydrates body tissues, making them susceptible to inflammation.
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Oral And Nasal Decongestants
Over-the-counter decongestants work by shrinking blood vessels inside the nose. There are both oral and nasal formulations.
Sudafed is an oral decongestant used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, and respiratory allergies. Do not use Sudafed for longer than three days as it can also lead to rebound congestion.
While Sudafed is available without a prescription, it is kept behind the pharmacy counter and requires an ID to obtain. A similar drug called Sudafed PE can be purchased without hindrance but has not proven to be anywhere near as effective as pseudoephedrine.
Nasal decongestant sprays like Afrin also provide short-term relief of a stuffy nose. It should also not be used for longer than three days due to the risk of rebound congestion .
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Pseudoephedrine May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- restlessness
- difficulty breathing
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Pseudoephedrine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administrations MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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Common Side Effects Of Claritin Vs Claritin
The most common side effects of Claritin and Claritin-D include headache, drowsiness, fatigue, and dry mouth. Other common side effects of these drugs include nervousness and dizziness.
Claritin-D may also cause insomnia or trouble sleeping as well as excitability due to the stimulant nature of pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine may also alter or increase blood pressure, especially in those with a medical history of high blood pressure.
Serious side effects can include allergic reactions to any of the ingredients in Claritin or Claritin-D. These adverse effects include difficulty breathing, chest tightening, hives, and wheezing. If you experience these side effects, seek medical attention immediately.
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What Are The Main Differences Between Claritin And Claritin
The main difference between Claritin and Claritin-D is that Claritin-D contains an added ingredient called pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that is added for further relief of nasal congestion and sinus pressure. Because pseudoephedrine is a stimulant decongestant, Claritin-D may cause different side effects compared to Claritin.
Claritin is a second-generation antihistamine that may cause drowsiness. However, second-generation antihistamines cause less drowsiness compared to first-generation antihistamines such asBenadryl . Unlike Claritin alone, Claritin-D has the potential to cause trouble sleeping due to the stimulant effects of pseudoephedrine.
Claritin can be used in adults and children 2 years of age and older while Claritin-D can only be used in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Regular Claritin is usually taken once daily whereas Claritin-D comes in 12-hour and 24-hour formulations 12-hour Claritin-D can be taken twice daily and 24-hour Claritin-D can be taken once daily for full effects.
| Main differences between Claritin and Claritin-D |
|---|
| Claritin |
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What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose
This medication is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take pseudoephedrine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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Should I Take Allegra At Night Or In The Morning
Allegra can be taken at night or in the morning, depending on which time of day you experience the worst symptoms. If you experience worse allergy symptoms at night or early in the morning, you can try taking Allegra in the evening. If you experience worse symptoms throughout the day, you can take it in the morning. Allegra comes in a 24-hour tablet that lasts for the whole day.
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Some Disturbing Fact About Acetaminophen:
- Hundreds of deaths have been linked to taking just slightly more acetaminophen than the recommended dosage. The frightening aspect is that this can happen even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction.
- Acetaminophen is considered safe when taken as recommended. The serious part is when the line between what is considered a safe dose and a potentially lethal one is disturbingly fragile. Taken over a few days, as little as 25% over the maximum daily dose can cause liver damage.
- It was in 2009 that warnings on liver damage were added to the drugs label. The FDA issued a statement urging medical professionals to no longer prescribe prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per tablet. Many manufacturers complied and yet there are still prescription products which contain more than the recommended maximum of 325 mg of acetaminophen on the market.
You should never take this medication without first getting advice from your doctor.
Acetaminophen is found in many combination medicines, and taking certain products together can lead to a fatal overdose. If you are treating a child, use a pediatric form of acetaminophen and the special dose-measuring dropper that comes with it.
What Are The Main Differences Between Allegra And Allegra
You might think theyre practically the same since theres only a one-letter difference, however, although both versions of Allegra contain fexofenadine, they have an important distinction: Allegra-D contains a decongestant called pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is often taken to relieve nasal congestion, or stuffy nose, associated with allergies or the common cold.
Allegra-D comes in a 12-hour and 24-hour tablet. The 12-hour formulation contains 60 mg of fexofenadine and 120 mg of pseudoephedrine while the 24-hour formulation contains 180 mg of fexofenadine and 240 mg of pseudoephedrine. Allegra-D is only recommended for adults and children who are 12 years of age or older.
Regular Allegra comes in an oral tablet, orally-disintegrating tablet, and liquid suspension. The 12-hour tablet contains 60 mg of fexofenadine while the 24-hour tablet contains 180 mg of fexofenadine. Adults and children who are 12 years of age and older can take Allegra tablets, but there are lower-strength versions available to treat allergic rhinitis in children aged 2 to 11 years old.
| Main differences between Allegra and Allegra-D | ||
|---|---|---|
| Allegra | ||
| Who typically uses the medication? | Adults and children 12 years and older | Adults and children 12 years and older |
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Warnings Of Allegra And Allegra
Allegra and Allegra-D should be avoided in those with a known hypersensitivity to either drugs active ingredients. Otherwise, these drugs may cause an allergic reaction such as a severe rash or trouble breathing .
Allegra and Allegra-D should be avoided in people with kidney disease. Since fexofenadine is cleared from the body through the kidneys, altered kidney function may lead to an increased risk of toxicity and adverse effects.
The use of Allegra-D may need to be avoided or monitored in those with high blood pressure and heart disease. Pseudoephedrine works by constricting blood vessels to reduce congestion. This effect may increase the risk of complications from cardiovascular disease.
Consult your healthcare provider for other precautions to be aware of before taking Allegra or Allegra-D.
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal congestion caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It is also used to temporarily relieve sinus congestion and pressure. Pseudoephedrine will relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Pseudoephedrine is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. It works by causing narrowing of the blood vessels in the nasal passages.
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Driving Or Operating Heavy Machinery
This medicine can cause extreme drowsiness or dizziness in patients. Immediately after taking Doxycycline Tablet or its substitutes, do not drive or operate any heavy machinery.
In addition to the above precautions, make sure that you let the doctor if you are-
- Allergic to drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin
- Having issues in the kidneys, muscles, liver or heart
- Having a low level of potassium or magnesium
- Willing to conceive in the future
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What Is A Decongestant
A decongestant works to relieve the nasal and sinus congestion that makes breathing difficult. Decongestants come in various forms, including pills, liquid, nasal sprays and drops.
Although often confused, decongestants are different from antihistamines. Antihistamines help relieve most allergy symptoms by blocking the action of histamine in your system, not the congestion.
ZYRTEC-D® contains both an antihistamine and a decongestant for allergies. It powerfully clears your blocked nose and relieves other allergy symptoms. You can find decongestant products like ZYRTEC-D® at your local drug store behind the pharmacy counter. No prescription is necessary.
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