Pharmacy/query

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Question
In India, Cipla has launched a new antiallergic drug unnder IF2 which contains olopatadine hydrochloride : 5 mg. My question is whether it is similar to levocetrizine 5 mg or atarax 25 mg for the treatment of allergy ? Thanx  

Answer
Dear Harish
it is difficult to sort out whether olopatadine is any better than levocetirizine as the usual criterion is how well the patient responds. It may be that you get better satisfaction from one or another. If you are happy with one, stay with it. Atarax is rather different as it can have potent sedative properties and is best only taken at night. The other two are termed non-sedating antihistamines. Atarax can be particularly useful for ithchiness.

Regards

Dr Alan Galbraith

Pharmacy

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Dr Alan Galbraith

Expertise

I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.

Experience

I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.

Organizations
Institute of Biology, London.


Publications
Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.

Education/Credentials
BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;MIBiol; Cert Biol; HECert

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