As soon as antihistamines such as Suprastin, Diphenhydramine, Diazolin, Tavegil and the like were invented, doctors faced the question of their use, including whether Suprastin can be used in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

In asthma, Suprastin can be used only if allergic diseases, for example, allergic rhinitis, urticaria, dermatitis, and others, are added to the underlying disease.

What is asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease associated with inflammation of the airways. With asthma, phlegm builds up in the upper respiratory tract, obstructing the passage of air and irritating the respiratory receptors. Exposure to irritating factors in combination with inflammation and obstruction leads to bronchospasm and asthma attacks. 

An attack can be caused by an allergy to any substance, stress, physical exertion. So far, only symptomatic treatment of the disease has been developed. People suffering from this ailment are prescribed drugs that thin phlegm, reduce inflammation and expand the lumen of the bronchi.

Effects of antihistamines in asthma

Currently, the most common antiallergic drugs are antihistamines. They inhibit the body’s reactions to the effects of histamine, such as bronchial spasm, swelling, dilatation of blood vessels.

The main indication for the appointment of antihistamines is a violation of the airway as a result of the action of allergens.

An asthma attack occurs due to the destruction of mast cells, which contain a large amount of a mediator of allergic reactions – histamine, aka imidazolyl-2-ethylamine.

Imidazolyl-2-ethylamine, released from mast cells, aggravates the process of inflammation in the bronchi. And in order to eliminate the action of the mediator, the doctor prescribes antihistamines.

Antihistamines are divided into 1st and 2nd generation drugs.

Drugs of the first generation, in addition to inhibiting histamine receptors, also act on cholinergic receptors , the blocking of which leads to impaired coordination of movements, dryness of mucous membranes, an increase in the viscosity of sputum and drowsiness. These drugs include: Diazolin, Suprastin, Tavegil and others.

The second generation drugs do not affect cholinergic receptors and therefore do not cause dryness of the mucous membranes. The time of their action is longer than that of the 1st generation drugs, the sedative effect is less pronounced or absent. These drugs include: Ebastin , Astemizole , Lomilan and others.

The use of antihistamines has a positive effect, as they block the H1-histamine receptors. Due to this, Suprastin with exogenous bronchial asthma helps asthmatics prevent an attack upon contact with an allergen, eliminating edema and increasing capillary permeability.

Suprastin’s properties: advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Suprastin include the following: low price (therefore it is available to everyone), quick effect (within 15-20 minutes), duration of action reaches 6 hours, blocks histamine receptors and thereby prevents the manifestations of allergic diseases.

Therefore, the medicine for bronchial asthma is used to relieve allergy symptoms that aggravate the patient’s condition.  

However, the active substance of the drug can provoke side effects:

• from the side of the central nervous system: hypersomnia , migraine, overexcitation:
• organs of the digestive tract: dry mouth, painful sensations in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, changes in stool;
• on the part of the cardiovascular system: tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, arrhythmia;
  When taking the drug, increased eye pressure, decreased alertness, muscle weakness may occur.

With an asthma attack, the drug can cause undesirable effects that will negatively affect the patient’s condition: increased viscosity of sputum, difficult discharge of bronchial secretions.  

Suprastin and bronchial asthma

Choking in bronchial asthma is the main symptom of this pathology, which can be prevented with the help of Suprastin. It reduces the spasmodic effect of histamine on the smooth muscles of the bronchi, reduces its hypotensive effect and the effect on vascular permeability.

Suprastin is produced by pharmacological enterprises in the form of tablets and solution for intramuscular injection. Every person who is prone to allergic reactions, in the event of an attack, should always have with him in warm seasons (spring, summer, autumn) a set consisting of a syringe, ampoule with Adrenaline, Prednisolone and Suprastin.

However, in many situations, intramuscular administration of the solution is difficult. And here the pharmacological agent in the form of tablets helps out.

With asthma, Suprastin will help only if the deterioration of the condition is caused by the action of an allergen (animal dander, nuts, milk, fish, cereals, etc.).

It will be useless if the asthma attack is caused by triggers of a non-allergenic nature (viral and bacterial infections, stress, physical exertion, and so on).

When can I take

The etiology of asthma is different: hereditary predisposition, smoking, frequent colds and unfavorable ecology, but the symptoms are always the same, regardless of the cause: shortness of breath, cough, wheezing and heaviness in the chest. Allergens, which can provoke an exacerbation of the disease, can also be added to these reasons.

In asthma, Suprastin should be taken only when the deterioration of the condition is provoked by the action of an allergic agent and is accompanied by symptoms of allergy (rhinitis, dermatitis, urticaria, conjunctivitis).

Recently, information has appeared that antihistamines, which also have an anticholinergic effect, have a positive effect in the treatment of asthma patients, since they have bronchodilator properties.

In children under 5 years of age, bronchial asthma is accompanied by increased secretion of sputum, so many doctors recommend using Suprastin to reduce its production.

For an adult, the daily dose of the drug is 75-100 mg. As needed, it can be increased to 150 mg (5-6 tablets). Children aged 3 to 12 years can take ½ tablet (12.5 mg) 2-3 times a day.

In case of an asthma attack, Suprastin is not recommended to be used, since it increases the viscosity of sputum and makes it difficult to pass it.

Contraindications

Doctors advise to refrain from taking the drug:

• those who are hypersensitive to the active substance of the drug;
• during pregnancy;
• with ulcers of the stomach and duodenum;
• if an asthma attack occurs without allergic manifestations;
• with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Also, with extreme caution, the drug should be taken for liver and kidney dysfunction, cardiovascular disorders, elderly and senile patients. Also, do not forget about caution for representatives of professions that require high concentration and attention, for example, if the work is associated with driving various vehicles (airplanes, trains, cars), since the drug causes drowsiness and tremors.

If you exceed the recommended doses of the drug, then the risk of developing acute intoxication is likely. The risk group for overdose includes premature babies, children of the first year of life, elderly and senile patients, with chronic kidney and liver pathologies.

In addition, when taking Suprastin, you should not use alcohol and drugs that enhance its effect, as the likelihood of intoxication increases. Therefore, in order to prevent the appearance of negative effects, it is necessary to consult with your doctor before taking the drug.

Finally

Asthma is a severe chronic pathology that affects up to 10% of the world’s population. Doctors are very concerned about this problem, since every year the number of people diagnosed with this disease is growing. 

Currently, patients with bronchial asthma live a full life, since there is a wide range of effective drugs to relieve the symptoms of pathology.

But do not forget about preventive measures and following the doctor’s recommendations during treatment in order to prevent an exacerbation of the course of the disease.