ASEHA Qld

The following medications are listed as suitable for those with salicylate and amine (Phenolic) sensitivities by the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Clinic.  If medication is being prescribed by your doctor it is best to find medications without preservatives and flavourings. A white pressed tablet is best and while the active ingredient or fillers may cause problems, at least there will be minimal additives in the medication.

Reflux

Infant Gaviscon Powder – contains magnesium alginate and sodium alginate

H2 antihistamines – Zantac (ranitidine) 150mg are available over the counter from your pharmacy or on a script from your doctor

Proton Pump inhibitors – Losec 10 or 20 mg -  the dose should be discussed with  your doctor.

Laxatives

Duphalac – lactulose

Actilax – lactulose

Movicol  - Macrogol 3350.  Sachets have a citrus flavour but plain powder is available from compounding pharmacies – see end of article.

Liquid paraffin – oil that is not digested

Parachoc – chocolate, vanilla flavouring but well tolerated

Fibres that add water to the bowel motions:

Benefiber (Guar gum)

Metamucil Original texture Regular

Flavour Powder (Psyllium husk powder)

Normacol Plus (sterculia & frangula bark)

Gold Cross Epsom Salts – recommended dose on packet 2 teaspoons for adults

Glycerin suppositories – contain glycerol and suitable for infants, children and adults as a temporary measure.

Constipation is a sign of a problem in the gastrointestinal tract.  Check with your dietitian for suitable foods as reflux and constipation may be caused by food sensitivities.

Prune juice is not suitable for individuals with food chemical sensitivity as it contains high levels of salicylates and amines that can cause reactions.  Dried fruits can also contain sulphur or other preservatives and some contain oils to reconstitute them.  Dried fruits from other countries are likely to be fumigated and may contain residues of fumigants.

Head lice and worms

Eliminate lice and nits by:

• using a nit comb  - available from your pharmacy or supermarket;

• oil the hair and suffocate the lice with pharmacy grade olive oil or paraffin e.g. Vaseline – leave in the hair for a few hours or overnight.  Comb through hair with a nit comb before you wash the oil off.  Nits cannot hold on to hair strands when oiled;

• shampoo the hair and comb with a nit comb while the shampoo remains in the hair, alternatively use hair conditioner;

• dry the hair with a hair dryer – the hot air is sufficient to kill nits – take care not to burn the scalp;

• use a Robicomb – zaps nits with an electric charge – available from your pharmacy;

• treat soft toys and bedding as these can also harbour nits – treat as for dust mites – vacuuming, hot washing and airing in sunlight.

Worms

Combantrin tablets – while these are orange they provide the least problem chemical of all available choices.  When treating for worms it is essential to treat the whole family and the family pets.

Dental anaesthetics

Plain lignocaine – avoid dental local anaesthetics with adrenaline and octopressin as they contain preservative as well.

Endoscopy – agents used to sedate for endoscopy are usually well tolerated

General anaesthetics – avoid premedications as these agents sometimes cause adverse reactions. Gases used for general anasaesthetics are usually well tolerated by those with allergy and intolerances.

Pain relief

Paracetamol tablets 500mg – Panadol, Chemist brand, Herron.

Panadol suppositories 125mg, 250mg -  dose needs to be adjusted by weight for children. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Avoid liquid paracetamol preparations as they are coloured and/or flavoured and should not be given if tolerance to them has not been tested.

Pain relieving medications to avoid are aspirin, natural herbal pain relieving compounds, non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents (Advil, Nurofen, Voltaren).

Antihistamines

H1 antihistamines are used in the treatment and prevention of hives, skin, eye and airway allergy reactions.  Tablets are best where possible and as each medication will have a different range of actions it is important to find the antihistamine that best suits you.  While some antihistamines are marketed as non-sedating, be aware that for around 5% of the population these can still sedate.

Non-sedating antihistamines

Claratyne

Telfast

Zyrtec

Zyrtec Oral Liquid Drops for Children’

Sedating antihistamines

Polaramine

Phenergan

Vallergan and Vallergan Forte

The degree of sedation varies from person to person.  The liquids contain colour and flavour while some tablets are also coloured.   These are usually tolerated in children with eczema.  While the use of sedating antihistamines in babies under 2 years of age is not generally recommended, some relief via Polaramine and Phenergan may be needed.  Always discuss the dose with your doctor first.

Eye drops for allergy

Patanol Eye Drops

Zaditen (ketotifen)

These are only available on prescription.

Buffered saline solutions for the nose

Narium Nasal spray

Fess Nasal Spray

Asthma medications

These are usually prescribed by your doctor and should be used according to instructions.  Metered Dose inhaler devices must be used with a mask and spacer for optimal medication delivery.

Things to avoid

Cough lollies, syrups and medications, mouthwash or inhalations that contain menthol, mint, camphor, eucalyptus, ti tree oil.  These may make you feel better but can be powerful irritants for individuals with allergy, food and chemical sensitivities.

Antioxidants, multivitamins and other nutritional products with preservatives, flavourings, colourings, bioflavonoids, herbs, rutin, kelp or hesperidin.

Vitamin C.  Various forms of vit.C are available they are found as sodium ascorbate or calcium ascorbate.   Ensure that these are additive free and in their purest form.  Ascorbate powders can be used to add to syrups, jams and when drying fruit as a preservative.

Compounding pharmacy Brisbane north side - Think Pharmacy 1311 Gympie Rd Aspley 3263 1957