Expert GA ² LEN, the Global Network European Allergy and Asthma European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, EAACI, warn that the old antihistamines that are sold without a prescription and are the most common form of self-medication for allergic rhinitis triggers can be hazardous to health.
A joint report by two organizations, which is published in the scientific journal Allergy, compares new data on the treatment of allergies with antihistamines old and new-generation H1 antihistamines.
Their results suggest that the first generation of H1 antihistamines not only causes drowsiness, but also reduces the phase of rapid eye movement sleep (REM or REM in the acronym), impaired learning ability and decreases the work efficiency next day.
Additionally, the first generation H1 antihistamines has been involved in numerous road accidents, air and sea. Even in overdose deaths, accidental or intentional, of babies and young children and adolescent and adult suicides.
Should be sold without prescription?
The new generation antihistamines, however, have demonstrated equivalent efficacy to treat the symptoms while clinical trials and patients have fewer adverse effects and their prices are competitive.
Beware of certain antihistamines
Therefore, the report just wondering if the old antihistamines should no longer be sold without a prescription.
This is a crucial question for the safety of all, since antihistamines are the most used drugs for the treatment of seasonal and chronic allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, urticaria and atopic dermatitis.
Over 30% of the population of the European Union and the United States are potential users.
