recently
The topic #loratadine# rushed to the hot search
Screenshot of Weibo
Many netizens asked
"What happened to my life-saving medicine?"
Every year in April and May
The north of the mainland will usher in a sky full of willow flying catkins
Keywords such as "loratadine" and "allergic rhinitis".
Searches have grown substantially
Loratadine is one
A commonly used medicine for treating allergy symptoms
Recently, it has become a must-have for many netizens
In addition to loratadine, many netizens pointed out in the Weibo comment area that "cetirizine" can also be anti-allergic, which also caused some netizens to wonder, what is the difference between loratadine and cetirizine? What should be paid attention to when taking medicine? Let's take a look.
Loratadine and cetirizine
What exactly is the drug?
Loratadine and cetirizine are both antihistamines, and in addition to being anti-allergic, these drugs can also be used for urticaria, allergic conjunctivitis, and obvious itching after mosquito bites.
When we have hives, allergic rhinitis, etc., the body's immune system will release a substance called "histamine", which then binds to the histamine receptors in the body, which will cause us to have itching, sneezing, runny nose and other discomforts.
Antihistamines, as the name suggests, are drugs that block the binding of histamine to receptors, preventing histamine from working.
More than 100 years ago, scientists discovered histamine and soon discovered its role in allergic reactions. Regarding antihistamines, Italian pharmacologist Daniel Bovet discovered the first synthetic compound with antihistamine effect, which could protect guinea pigs from histamine-induced allergic reactions, but because of the toxicity of the compound, it was not used in clinical practice, but laid the foundation for the later development of antihistamines.
Antihistamines ≠ allergy medications
Antihistamines refer to drugs that prevent histamine from working, histamine is not only involved in allergic reactions, but also in the occurrence of other diseases, so antihistamines may be used in other situations except for allergies.
Anti-allergic drugs, there is no such classification in pharmacology, usually a summary of many drugs, refers to the drugs used in allergies, in addition to histamine, allergic reactions will also have other substances in the body involved, and the drugs selected in different situations are also different, such as anaphylaxis will be treated with epinephrine first.
However, because we often use antihistamines when we have allergy symptoms, we mistakenly equate antihistamines with allergy drugs, but in fact, they only have some overlap.
Cetirizine and loratadine
What's the difference, exactly?
Cetirizine and loratadine are both commonly used second-generation antihistamines, but they are different classes of compounds, although there is not much difference in efficacy and safety.
There have been some small studies that have found that cetirizine improves symptoms better than loratadine in allergic rhinitis and mosquito bite relief treatments, but is more likely to have sedative effects (such as drowsiness) than loratadine.
There are no data to suggest which drug is more effective for acute urticaria, and several studies of chronic urticaria suggest that cetirizine and levocetirizine may be slightly more effective than other agents.
Cetirizine vs loratadine, which is better?
No one has been found to be optimal, but combined with the current evidence, it can be used according to the appropriate age and dose (see below for recommendations for children, pregnant and lactating women) and according to the doctor's advice if the indication for use is met.
In addition, due to individual differences in medications, if one of them is not effective, or if there are obvious adverse reactions, treatment with another drug may be considered.
The nightmare of the "allergic star" - flying flotsam
Recently, it has entered the peak flying period
It is reported
In the northern region, poplars, willows, etc. are planted more
are all "big households" of flying flotsam
According to the Chinese weather previously introduced
2024 poplar catkins warning——
Central Hebei and Beijing-Tianjin, eastern Shandong
In mid-April, it has entered the peak flying season
Shandong Peninsula and central Shanxi
The peak flight period is slightly later
It is late April
What are the precautions for dealing with flying flotsam?
Flying flocculent is all over the sky, and sometimes it is easy to fly into people's eyes and nostrils, causing discomfort. Expert Reminder:
❖ Flying floc is generally the most at noon, and try to avoid this time when going out.
❖ Sensitive people can wear masks, sunglasses, etc. as needed when going out.
❖ When you come back from going out, you can wash your face with water, and wash your nasal cavity and mouth with saline.
❖ If you have allergic symptoms, you should seek medical attention in time to check for allergens.