Drug Formulary

Summary of commonly used allergy medications

MDI =metered dose inhaler

For Asthma

• Rescue meds: To open airways before exercise and with acute episodes.
  • Albuterol MDI( Proventil, Ventolin, Maxair): 2 puffs every 4-6 hrs.
    
• Controller meds: To heal the airway and prevent symptoms.
  • Steroid MDI
    • Low strength
      • Vanceril /Beclovent MDI:2 puffs x 4/day
      • Azmacort MDI; 2 puffs x 4/day
      • Flovent 44mg/puff: 2 puff x 2/day
    • Medium strength
      • Aerobid MDI: 2 puffs x 2/day
      • Flovent 110mg/puff x 2/day
    • High Strength
      • Flovent 220mg/puff x 2/day
      • Pulmocort 2 puff x 2/day
  • Steroid, Nebulized
    • Pulmicort respule  0.25mg/2 cc , 0.5mg/2cc, for infants
      
  • Singular tabs
    • 2-5 years: 4 mg chewable x once evening
    • 6-14 years: 5 mg x once an evening.
    • Over 14 years: 10 mg x once an evening.
      
  • Long-acting Beta-agonists
    • Serevent MDI: 2 puffs x 2/day (Do not exceed the recommended dose. It may lead to toxicity)
    •   Foradil MDI: 1 puff x 2/day
      
  • Combination of steroid and long-acting beta-agonist
    • Advair MDI 1 puff x 2/day :  3 strengths available:  low potency- 100/40, medium potency-250/40, high potency-500/40

For Nasal Symptoms  

• Rescue Medicines
  • Antihistamines: Primarily for drying the nose
    • Non-sedating
      • Claritin 10mg: either 12 or 24 hr preparations, Available in syrup 5mg/5cc
      • Clarinex 5 mg (24 hrs)
      • Allegra 60mg (12 hrs), or 180mg (24 hrs)
    • Less-sedating
      • Zyrtec 5mg, 10mg, 5 mg/5cc : 24 hr
    • Sedating
      • Benadryl, Atarax, Chlotrimeton, etc: usually every 6 hrs
  • Atrovent Nasal spray: for drying the nose. 2 puffs  x 4/day
  • Decongestants: To open up the nasal passage. Not to dry
    • Afrin or neosinephrine nose spray or drops: use not more than 3 days a week. Long-term  use not recommended, because of the nasal congestion may get worse
    • Sudafed: oral decongestant, over the counter. Consult a doctor if you have high blood pressure, arrhythmia, prostate problems, etc.
  • Combination of antihistamines and decongestants
    • Claritin-D, Allegra-D, etc.
  • Rinsing agents
    • Ocean Spray, Sinus-Rinse, etc
    • Make it yourself:  1 cup water + 1/2 tsp salt + a pinch of baking soda. Put them in a Mustard Dispenser or other dispenser with a tip.
• Controller Meds: To heal the nasal passage and prevent the symptoms.
  • Nasal steroid MDI: Flonase, Nasonex, Rhinocort, Zetonna, Qnasal, etc.  To be sprayed to the nasal cavity 2 puffs once or twice a day.  It is important to use regularly at least 4 wks at a time, otherwise, the optimal preventive effect is not reached. Use after rinsing. Aim towards the ear on the side of the nostril being sprayed.
  • Combination of nasal steroid & anti-histamine: Dymsita: 1-2p x2/day.

For the Eyes

• Rescue  meds: usually one drop x 4/day
  • Decongestants: Vasocon, Naphcon
  • Antihistamines: Livostin
    
• Controller meds: heals and prevent allergic eye symptoms
  • Opticrom(Cromolyn): 1-2 drops x 4/day
  • Alomide: 1-2 drops x4/day
  • Patanol : 1-2 drops x 2/day
  • Pataday (olopatadine): 1-2 drop  x 1/day
  • Zaditor(ketotifen):1-2 drops, 2-3x/day
  • Optivar (azelastine): 1 drop , 2x/day
  • Restasis (cyclosporine):1 drop, 2x/day
    
• A cool pack to the eyes, plus the liquid tears can be very helpful    

For the Skin

• Limit soap exposure as much as possible  because it dries out sensitive skin
• Put lotion on the skin immediately after toweling down while the skin is still wet, absorption is maximum at that time
• Antihistamines can help the itch
• Use steroid ointments ( preferred over cream).  Be careful as the stronger steroids can blanch the skin, and should not be used on the face