A pharmacological approach to allergy.

Abstract

The most satisfactory treatment of an allergic patient is to remove the cause of the allergy. In many cases, however, the cause of the allergy eludes direct recognition and the patient is referred to an allergist. The symptomatic treatment is then aimed at terminating the symptoms or is directed against the action of mediators released from damaged cells. Treatment usually involves the use of drugs such as adrenaline, isoprenaline and antihistamine compounds, although the major advance has been in the use of cortisone analogues.