Peritol in the treatment of Hay Fever
Hay fever or pollen fever is one of the most widespread allergic diseases that affects nearly 35 million Americans each year. The symptoms of hay fever are very similar to common cold and include sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Common cold symptoms tends to be more severe and usually disappear within a week.
Hay fever can be caused by the following allergens:
- Pollen
- Mold
- Animal dandruff
- Foods
- Drugs
- Dust mites
Diagnosis of hay fever is based on physical examination and results of several tests such as:
Skin tests (usually a doctor inject under the skin a small amount of allergen and observes the reaction of skin to injected substance)
Blood tests (blood tests usually are made for the purpose to determine proteins called IgE. This protein can be found in patients with allergic reactions)
Treatment of hay fever is based on severity of the disease, symptoms, concomitant diseases and include:
- Using anti-allergic medicines
- Avoiding contacts with allergens
- Receiving allergy shots
Among preparations used to treat hay fever, H1-histamine receptor blocker occupy the leading role. One of these preparations is Peritol (cyproheptadine). Peritol is H1-histamine receptor blocker with anti-serotonin activity. Along with anti-allergic action, Peritol possesses potent anti-pruritic, anti-exudative, anti-cholinergic and sedative action. By possessing anti-serotonin activity, Peritol stimulates appetite, blocks somatotropin hypersecretion in patients with acromegaly and secretion of ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) in Itsenko-Cushing syndrome.
Peritol is actively used in medicine for the treatment of pathologies caused by overproduction of histamine or serotonin. Along with hay fever, Peritol is actively used for urticaria (hives), serum sickness, angioedema, contact and toxic dermatitis, eczema, neurodermatitis and other allergic diseases.
Due to anti-serotonin activity Peritol is widely prescribed against migraine and anorexia.
Other Peritol indications are chronic pancreatitis and bronchial asthma.