Antihistamines have improved over the past few decades. Credit: Carol Yepes \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
Antihistamines are one of the most widely taken medications worldwide, used to relieve allergy symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing and congestion.<\/p>\n
But new research points out that misconceptions around these common medications abound, leading to both misuse and overuse.<\/p>\n
A paperpublishedin theCanadian Medical Association Journallists five facts to know about them:<\/p>\n
People need to rethink what they stock in their home cabinets as allergy medicines, what hospitals keep on formulary, and what policymakers recommend, says Derek Chu, a researcher in allergies at McMaster University in Canada and co-author on the paper.<\/p>\n
There are new modern second-generation antihistamines that are potent, specific, fast acting and of proven safety which everyone should be using to treat allergic rhinitis and hives, adds Gordon Sussman, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto in Canada and co-author on the paper.<\/p>\n
More information can be found onHealthDirectandNPS Medicinewise.<\/p>\n
More on allergies<\/p>\n
Ellen Phiddian is a science journalist at The Royal Institution of Australia.<\/p>\n
Theres never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.<\/p>\n
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Read more from the original source: Antihistamines have improved over the past few decades. Credit: Carol Yepes \/ Getty Images Antihistamines are one of the most widely taken medications worldwide, used to relieve allergy symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing and congestion Continue reading
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