Pills to relieve itching: body skin, intimate areas, allergies

Itching can accompany many diseases and conditions - allergies, inflammations, skin infections and even pathologies of internal organs. Often, patients are ready to do a lot, just to reduce the manifestations of skin itching, since such sensations sometimes become simply unbearable. Are there effective drugs - for example, pills for itching?

Indeed, such medications exist, but they are selected individually, depending on the nature of the itching - the main cause of the unpleasant sensations.

Indications itching pills

Anti-itch tablets can be prescribed in two cases:

• for general pathologies that are accompanied by widespread itching;
• for skin diseases that are accompanied by localized itching.

The first row of diseases includes:

• renal failure with metabolic disorders;
• bile stasis in hepatitis or cholecystitis, as well as in the presence of stones in the bile ducts;
• hormonal imbalance;
• blood diseases - for example, lymphogranulomatosis;
• endocrine diseases - for example, thyroid disease or diabetes.

Localized itching may accompany the following diseases:

• scabies;
• infestation by lice and other insects;
• eczema;
• fungal skin diseases;
• seborrhea;
• allergic urticaria and atopic dermatitis.

Itching can be observed not only on the skin, but also in the anal area (with parasitic diseases, hemorrhoids, etc.), in the area of the external genitalia ( with thrush ).

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Release form

We present to your attention an overview of the most common anti-itch tablets.

• Suprastin - suitable for the treatment of allergic itching and discomfort caused by insect bites. The effect of the tablets is noticeable after half an hour and lasts for about 4 hours. Suprastin is recommended for use in adults and children. The drug is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, as well as patients suffering from bronchial asthma.
• Tavegil is a strong antipruritic drug. It can cause drowsiness to a lesser extent, unlike Suprastin. The effect of Tavegil lasts about 11-13 hours from the moment of administration. Tavegil can be prescribed to adults and children from 6 years of age. Contraindications: lung diseases, the period of bearing and breastfeeding a baby.
• Fenkarol is an antihistamine that shows its effect within 30-60 minutes after taking the tablets. The drug can cause thirst, drowsiness, headaches. Fenkarol is prescribed from the age of 3. Restrictions: pregnant and lactating patients.
• Claritin is a drug that belongs to the derivatives of Loratadine. Claritin is taken once a day, and the effect of the tablets becomes noticeable after 60 minutes and lasts for at least 10 hours. Side effects of this drug are rare. Claritin can be taken starting from 3 years of age.
• Clarotadine is another anti-itch tablet based on Loratadine. Clarotadine does not affect the central nervous system and does not cause drowsiness, but taking the tablets may be accompanied by heart pain and dyspepsia. The effect of the drug increases within 30-120 minutes and is observed for 10 to 24 hours. Clarotadine is not prescribed to pregnant women and children under 2 years of age.
• Ketotifen is a well-known, proven anti-allergic drug that can be used as anti-itch tablets. Tablets are taken in the morning and evening, but they can cause drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, decreased blood pressure, and heart rhythm disturbances. Ketotifen is not prescribed to pregnant and lactating patients, children under 3 years of age.
• Zaditen is an anti-allergic tablet against itching with a pronounced effect. The active effect of the drug lasts 4-5 hours. Zaditen can cause signs of sedation, dizziness and irritability. It is not recommended to take the drug during pregnancy.
• Nalcrom - can be prescribed for atopic diseases of the pulmonary system, as well as food allergies. Nalcrom can cause short-term cough, temporary deterioration of vision, dry mucous membranes. It is not recommended for children under 5 years of age and pregnant women.
• Clemastine is an anti-itch tablet similar to Tavegil. The anti-itch effect peaks 6 hours after taking the tablets and lasts for about 11 hours, sometimes up to 22-24 hours. Clemastine causes drowsiness. It is not used to treat children under 1 year of age.
• Peritol is an effective tablet for itching based on cyproheptadine. The drug is prescribed to all patients starting from 2 years of age, excluding the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is undesirable to take the tablets for people with a duodenal ulcer, pyloric stenosis, glaucoma, bronchial asthma. The effect of Peritol lasts about 8 hours.
• Pipolfen is a well-known systemic anti-allergy drug. The anti-itch tablets are very effective, but they can cause drowsiness, anxiety, irritability, impaired consciousness, and in children, seizures may occur. The tablets are not approved for use by children under 6 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.
• Erius is an antihistamine based on desloratadine (the primary metabolite of Loratadine). Erius does not have a sedative effect and has a prolonged effect: to relieve itching, it is enough to take one tablet daily. The drug can be prescribed to children and adults, with the exception of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Of the side effects, the most common are headaches and dry mucous membranes in the mouth.
• Telfast - is characterized by a long-lasting effect and a low risk of drowsiness. The drug is especially indicated for patients with chronic itchy skin diseases. Telfast is not prescribed to children under 12 years of age, women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, people with cardiovascular, liver and kidney diseases.
• Prednisolone is a typical representative of glucocorticosteroids for internal use. The tablets will eliminate itching from allergies, autoimmune processes, mycoses and other skin lesions, psoriasis, etc. Prednisolone is not recommended for long-term use, otherwise undesirable effects may occur: edema, myasthenia, changes in blood pressure, peptic ulcer, seizures, etc. Tablets are prescribed only by a doctor, starting with the minimum possible dosage.

Anal Itching Pills

Tablets for anal itching are prescribed only when there is no effect from local application of antipruritic drugs - ointments or creams. Treatment always begins locally, and only in extreme cases do they start taking tablets.

Itching in the anal area can be caused by hemorrhoids or anal fissure. But most often, the cause of such itching is helminthiasis, or worms. In the latter case, the best way to get rid of itching is to take a full course of antiparasitic treatment.

In case of severe, persistent anal itching, the doctor may prescribe opioid receptor blockers, such as Naltrexone. The drug has a fairly strong antipruritic effect, but has a number of side effects: headache, cramps, dyspepsia, thirst.

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Psoriasis Itching Pills

In psoriasis, itching is usually quite strong and bothersome. Therefore, pills for itching in psoriasis should have a powerful antipruritic effect. These include, for example, calcineurin inhibitors. These pills inhibit the properties of the enzyme involved in transporting calcium into the cellular structure - this is the process that occurs during inflammation. The use of such pills allows you to block the action of cytokines that cause skin itching in psoriasis. In addition, pills for itching inhibit the production of substances such as serotonin, histamine, etc.

Calcineurin inhibitor tablets that help with itching in psoriasis are most often represented by drugs such as Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus.

Antihistamine tablets for itching

Antihistamines inhibit the action of histamine, a biogenic amine that causes an immune reaction in response to an allergen entering the body. Such drugs effectively eliminate itching associated with an allergic process in the body. Special tablets for allergic itching reduce capillary permeability, reduce the severity of swelling, relieve redness and, of course, help relieve itching - and this happens within 30-40 minutes after internal use of the tablets.

The main groups of antiallergic drugs are the following:

• First generation antihistamines – Suprastin, Diazepam, Tavegil, Diphenhydramine. These tablets perfectly eliminate unpleasant itching sensations, but almost always cause drowsiness, lethargy and decreased performance.
• Antihistamines of the second and third generations – Loratadine, Cetirizine, Fexofenad hydrochloride. The listed tablets for itching are easily tolerated by the body and do not cause apathy and drowsiness.

Pharmacodynamics

When itching is severe, external medications sometimes fail. And here, anti-itch tablets come to the rescue, which have a systemic (general) effect on the body.

To eliminate discomfort, the doctor may prescribe tablets that belong to one of the pharmaceutical groups, depending on what is causing the itching - allergies, parasites, inflammatory reaction, etc.

All anti-itch pills work differently, so some patients are helped by some pills, while others are helped by others. In order to choose the right anti-itch pills, taking into account the cause and mechanism of action of the drug, it is necessary to conduct a full diagnostic examination.

As anti-itch tablets you can use:

• antiallergic (antihistamine) tablets;
• glucocorticoid hormones;
• analgesics;
• opioid receptor blockers;
• calcineurin inhibitor tablets.

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Pharmacokinetics

As a rule, anti-itch tablets are well absorbed in the digestive tract, and their effect is observed within 30-40 minutes, upon reaching their maximum concentration in the bloodstream. Sometimes this period extends to 60-90 minutes.

The bioavailability of the active substances in the anti-itch tablets is directly proportional to the dosage taken.

Most drugs are absorbed longer if there is a large amount of food in the stomach at the time of administration: the clinical effect does not suffer.

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Dosing and administration

Anti-itch tablets are prescribed taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. Usually, the treatment plan is made by the doctor: if you prescribe an excessive dosage of the drug, you can cause an increase in already pronounced side effects, and a small dose may be ineffective. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the doses of anti-itch tablets clearly and correctly, completely relying on the qualifications of the doctor.

If the long-awaited improvement does not occur during the first day of treatment, then it makes sense to reconsider the appropriateness of taking the chosen drug: perhaps another, stronger remedy should be prescribed.

Self-medication with anti-itch pills is strongly discouraged.

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Use itching pills during pregnancy

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, systemic drugs, which are pills for itching, are generally not used. Pregnant and lactating women are advised to use topical drugs, and only under the supervision of a doctor.

Contraindications

Anti-itch tablets may be contraindicated:

• if you are prone to allergies to the components of the selected drug;
• in case of liver and kidney dysfunction;
• with closed-angle glaucoma;
• in case of a tendency to urinary retention.

For other possible contraindications, please read the instructions for the specific drug.

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Side effects itching pills

A common side effect of anti-itch pills is drowsiness, but the latest generations of drugs are free of this unpleasant effect. However, drowsiness is not the only possible side effect. Thus, during treatment, the following may occur:

• allergic reaction;
• dizziness, headaches;
• increased heart rate;
• dyspeptic disorders.

Overdose

Accidentally or intentionally taking a large number of anti-itch tablets can be fatal: this is especially true for antihistamines. For example, an overdose of Suprastin leads to the development of symptoms similar to atropine poisoning: the patient experiences coordination disorders, hallucinations, convulsions, and athetosis. In childhood, the symptoms develop rapidly and have a more negative prognosis.

When taking a large dose of Loratadine, anticholinergic symptoms appear first: rapid heartbeat, headache.

If you suspect that you have taken a large dose of any anti-itch pills, you should immediately take measures to cleanse your stomach. This may include rinsing it and taking crushed activated charcoal tablets with water. Symptomatic treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

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Interactions with other drugs

Anti-itch tablets should not be combined with each other if the result of their interaction is unknown.

It is not recommended to combine any anti-itch pills with alcoholic beverages and alcohol-based medications. In addition, antibiotics, sleeping pills, etc. are not compatible with some medications.

Before you start taking any pills, you should carefully read the instructions and follow the recommendations of the doctor who prescribed the drug.

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Storage conditions

Almost all anti-itch tablets can be stored at normal temperatures, up to +25°C. Medicines cannot be frozen, regardless of whether they are tablets or capsules.

It is necessary to strictly control the inaccessibility of children and mentally unstable individuals to places where anti-itch tablets are stored, since accidental ingestion of such drugs can result in extremely unfavorable consequences.

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Shelf life

Anti-itch tablets can be stored for about 3 years from the date of manufacture of the drug, but the exact shelf life must be specified in the annotation to a specific medication. Tablets with an expired shelf life, as well as those that were stored in improper conditions, are subject to immediate disposal: taking such drugs can end badly.

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