General Medical Information

Pharmacotherapy

Richard L. Mabry

If undesirable effects—such as sleepiness and overdrying from first-generation antihistamines, stimulatory effects of systemic decongestants, local and even systemic effects of nasal glucocorticoids—occur with drug therapy for nasal allergy, a change in therapeutic agent normally alleviates the problem. Serious cardiac arrhythmia has occurred after administration of terfenadine or astemizole with macrolide antibiotics or systemic antifungal agents. This emphasizes the need for physicians to remain educated about interactions and side effects of all new and existing drugs.