Antihistamine effect and complication within the population of Karachi; a cross sectional study

Background: As we know that allergies all over the world is the utmost medical problem and in Karachi, Pakistan, every 2nd person is complaining of allergy due to pollution. Antihistamines are considered as one the most widely used and abused medications after analgesics. Antihistamines are generally used in the palliative treatment in allergic condition like hay fever urticaria. Some of pruritus, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, mild asthma etc. Methodology: The study conducts among the population of Karachi to check awareness regarding antihistamine and its complication i.e. sedation affect daily routine or not. This may help to estimate the level of awareness among the population of Karachi towards the usage of these drugs and accordingly enable us to make efforts to improve the same. Results: Total no of participantsis 470 that responded to the survey, and the finding indicated that the main antihistamine used is cetirizine and loratadine. A proportion of 91.5% of total number of respondent have used antihistamine for allergic disease and have information about antihistamine medications and 8.5% had used antihistamine for allergic diseases while 53.2% used antihistamine as a OTC drug and 45.8% used as a prescription drug.31.9% have experienced sedation after using antihistamine while 44.7% have not experienced any sedative effect. Nearly 23.4% not aware of the sedative effect of antihistamine. Conclusion: The most used antihistamine is cetirizine and loratadine and the most participants have an information regarding the complications and the side effects of antihistamine in general.