If you or your friend or a family member have been recently diagnosed with urticaria and are prescribed blexten, keep reading this article to know more about the causes, symptoms, and types of urticaria.

Also, how blexten can help control urticaria, precautions, and instructions while taking the medication and its side effects.

Urticaria- what is it, and what does it look like?

Urticaria is itchy, red raised bumps (welts) that occur due to skin reaction. The bumps differ in size and appear and repeatedly disappear as the reaction runs its course. Urticaria is also commonly known as hives. In most cases, they are triggered by an allergic reaction to food, medications, stress, or an irritant in the environment. At times, hives may appear without any cause. 

Urticaria can be uncomfortable, and they may disturb your daily activities or sleep. 

Causes of different types of urticaria: 

When an allergen (a substance that causes an allergic reaction) comes in contact with your body, it causes the release of histamine and other natural chemicals in the body. These chemicals cause swelling, itching, red bumps, and other symptoms. Urticaria is a common reaction that occurs due to these allergens. 

Many times, the cause of the urticaria is unknown. However, certain substances may cause urticaria that includes:

• Medicines 
• Autoimmune disorders 
• Leukemia 
• Wearing tight clothes 
• Extreme weather conditions 
• Exercise 
• Pollen 
• Fish
• Emotional stress 
• Exposure to water 
• Insect bites 
• Eggs 
• Milk 
• Animal dander 
• Shellfish 
• Other food items 
• Excessive sweating 

Urticaria Symptoms

The symptoms of the disease include: 

• A tendency for signs and symptoms that flare with triggers such as heat, exercise, and stress
• A tendency for signs and symptoms that persist for more than six weeks and reoccur frequently and suddenly
• Itching 
• Batches of red or skin-colored welts that appear on the skin, which appear and disappear repeatedly
• Swelling of the lips, eyelids, or throat 

Types of Urticaria

There are various types of urticaria, which are described as follows: 

1. Chronic hives: The hives that do not have an identifiable cause and are ongoing are called chronic hives or chronic urticaria. They can be a symptom of an underlying health condition too. 
2. Allergic reactions: It is the most common type of urticaria that is caused by an allergen.
3. Temperature-induced hives: Many times, temperature changes can also cause urticaria in people, especially people who are sensitive to such changes. Both hot and cold weather can induce urticaria.  
4. Dermatographism: This is an acute form of urticaria caused by excessive continuous pressure on the skin or scratching. This type of urticaria typically clears up on its own
5. Anaphylaxis: It is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. The allergic reaction often causes difficulty in breathing, vomiting, nausea, severe swelling, and dizziness. 
6. Infection-induced hives: Viral and bacterial both can cause this type of urticaria. 

How blexten helps to control the effect of urticaria, use, and dosage

Blexten belongs to the antihistaminic class of medication. The medication works by blocking the action of the natural chemical histamine. Histamine is responsible for the symptoms of urticaria. Blexten can be prescribed alone or combined with other drugs of similar action to reduce allergies or urticaria. Blexten does not cure urticaria. However, it is used to treat its symptoms. Blexten provides relief from allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, watery eyes, itchy nose, or throat. 

Blexten Use Urticaria

Blexten is available as a tablet. It is usually prescribed once a day to be taken on an empty stomach, or you can take the medications 2 hours post-meal. When medication is taken with food, it reduces the drug’s effectiveness. Avoid consuming fruit juice 1 hour before taking medication and 2 hours after the medication is taken. 

You should follow the instructions on the prescription label. You can ask your health worker in case of any queries. Take blexten as directed by your pharmacist or physician. Do not take more or less than prescribed. 

If you miss a dose, take medicine as soon as you remember it. However, skip the missed dose and follow your regular dosing schedule if it is time for a second dose. You should not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. 

Blexten Dosage for Urticaria

The recommended dose for adults and children above 12 years of age is one tablet to be taken orally once daily. Each tablet contains 20 mg of bilastine. However, the dose may differ based on various factors. It is thus best to consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Blexten Side effects

Like all medications, blexten also has some side effects. It is possible that you may not experience any or some of the side effects. You should inform your physician if the below mentioned side effects are severe or do not away: 

• Diarrhea 
• Nausea
• Nasal irritation
• Eye irritation
• Fatigue
• Headache 
• Stomach pain 

Some of the side effects can be serious. You should inform your physician immediately if you experience it: 

• Fainting
• Dry skin 
• Eczema 
• Signs of heart problems (fast, irregular heartbeat)
• Chest pain 
• Sudden weight gain 
• Leg swelling 
• Difficulty in breathing 

Blexten may cause other side effects. Call your health care professional if you experience any unusual or persistent effects while on treatment with the medication. 

Other precautions while on Blexten

Please inform your doctor or pharmacist about being allergic to blexten or any of its ingredients. If you have any other allergies, do not forget to share the same with the health care professional. 

Inform your health worker about other prescription, non-prescription medications, and nutritional supplements that you are taking. Also, inform about vitamins and herbal supplements you are taking or planning to take. 

Inform your doctor if you have pheochromocytoma (a rare tumor of adrenal glands). 

Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, as blexten is eliminated from the body through urine. 

Blexten should not be used in children below 12 years of age. 

Blexten and pregnancy

You should inform your physician if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while on treatment with blexten, inform your doctor immediately as there is no information available regarding the use of blexten during pregnancy. 

Blexten interaction with alcohol is not known. You should consult your physician before you consume alcoholic beverages.

Inform your physician if you are taking any of the below-mentioned medications: 

• Ketoconazole 
• Rifampicin 
• Diltiazem 
• Erythromycin 
• Ritonavir 
• Ciclosporin

Recommended reading for you

1. Urticaria Allergy Treatment With Medications. Blexten vs Cetirizine. Symptoms & Causes(Opens in a new browser tab)
2. Urticaria: Types & Treatment with Cetirizine Allergy Medicine(Opens in a new browser tab)
3. Blexten Rhinitis Treatment. Is it the best? How does it work.(Opens in a new browser tab)
4. Allergic Rhinitis Treatment with Cetirizine vs Blexten. Causes, Symptoms. Antihistamines.(Opens in a new browser tab)

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