What’s Sublingual Immunotherapy: A Report from Online Clinic
What is sublingual immunotherapy?
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an alternative treatment for allergies. This method is one of the best ways to treat allergies without injections. There are two main forms of sublingual immunotherapy for allergies. These are SLIT allergy tablets and SLIT allergy drops. They both work by being administered under the tongue, where the ingredients are dissolved and absorbed in the bloodstream through the mucosal membranes in the mouth. Both of these methods of sublingual immunotherapy for allergies work to reduce short-term allergy symptoms and build long-term tolerances to specific allergens. Although they both work in the same manner, several differences are discussed in more detail further below.
Where can I get sublingual immunotherapy?
Sublingual immunotherapy is offered as an allergy treatment option by many allergists and other immunology specialists, like ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors. These days, finding an allergist near you can be as easy as asking your phone for, “Allergist near me”, but typing in “Find allergist near me” in your favorite search engine still works, and you may even find a recommendation for an allergist from a friend or family member. There are also other resources for locating allergists and immunotherapy specialists in your area, like using the Find an Allergist tool offered by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, where you can search for allergists by city and zip code, to find sublingual immunotherapy options near you. Many allergists who offer sublingual immunotherapy are also available for virtual consultations, allowing you to begin from home.
How much does sublingual immunotherapy cost?
The cost of sublingual immunotherapy can vary depending on whether or not you’re getting sublingual allergy drops or sublingual allergy tablets. There are some allergy tablets approved by the FDA, so they may be covered by some insurance prescription plans. Allergy drops aren’t currently approved by the FDA, so patients are responsible for the total expenses. The good news is, sublingual immunotherapy is known to be less expensive than other forms of immunotherapy, like allergy shots, that require regular costly visits to the doctor’s office, and sublingual allergy drops, in particular, are very cost-effective. The average yearly cost of allergy drops, which are not typically covered by health insurance, is about $1,000. That makes an average of only $2 to $5 per day for most patients. Thanks to the advancement of telemedicine, patients can save time and money on allergy shots by taking advantage of telehealth visits, which we are proud to offer at Curex Allergy.
A recent study published in Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology found sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets for specific tree pollen to be “a cost-minimizing alternative to Tree Pollen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) when considered from a societal perspective” [3] Their research took into account cost variables like, “Tree Pollen SCIT resource use, discount rates, number of injections, annual SCIT dosing with maintenance injections, and nurse time support”, to analyze the societal cost of SLIT, ultimately finding SLIT more economically feasible than SCIT. This means sublingual immunotherapy can save you, and our society as a whole, valuable time, resources, and money.
How effective is sublingual immunotherapy?
The efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been well documented, but when you have allergies and want nothing more than allergy relief, yet have found other allergy treatment plans unsuccessful, you may be asking yourself, how effective is sublingual immunotherapy, and will sublingual immunotherapy work for me? The answers from experts look promising.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the global development and clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in tablet form revealed, “SLIT-tablets have superior or similar efficacy compared with anti-allergic pharmacotherapies for seasonal allergic rhinitis and superior efficacy for perennial allergic rhinitis”. The same review concluded sublingual therapy to show “clinically relevant improvements of asthma, with significant reductions in the following: daily inhaled corticosteroid use, risk of asthma exacerbations, and asthma symptoms”.
In addition to several studies with positive research findings, the effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy was also researched in a scientific study measuring how satisfied allergy patients were with the results of their sublingual immunotherapy. Patients reported a perception of the overall effectiveness of 92%, an improvement of performance in daily activities by 91%, and an overall satisfaction rating of sublingual immunotherapy to be 97%. This study was focused on treating house dust mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and/or Blomia tropicalis, but indicates an extremely high rate of perceived effectiveness for sublingual immunotherapy in general.
What are the side effects of sublingual immunotherapy?
The side effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) can vary from person to person, based on each of our immune systems and other individual and unique biological characteristics. The first week of treatment is when side effects of SLIT are most common but are mostly mild. Common side effects of sublingual immunotherapy for adults and children include oral irritation, itching in the mouth, stomach upset, swelling of the tongue, sores on the tongue or mouth, and itchiness of the lips.
These symptoms are usually mild, localized to the mouth and digestive system, and can be mitigated by adjusting dosages. Anaphylaxis and other severe allergic reactions like nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain are very rare side effects of SLIT but are possible in rare cases. Signs of these symptoms can include fast and irregular heart rate, shortness of breath, wheezing and swelling of the throat. Anaphylaxis should be immediately treated with an injection of epinephrine before calling 911. For these reasons, it is recommended that SLIT treatment be prescribed by an allergist or other immunotherapy specialists, who can monitor initial or lingering reactions so dosages can be adjusted if needed.
Is sublingual immunotherapy approved by the FDA?
Sublingual immunotherapy is approved by the FDA, but there are currently only a handful of sublingual immunotherapy tablets that the FDA has approved. These tablets include: Odactra, Grastek, Oralair, Ragwitek, and Itulatek (expected). Allergy drops, another form of sublingual immunotherapy, are comprised of FDA approved allergen extracts but are normally prescribed off label. Because allergy drops safety and efficacy are well documented through scientific research, most allergy clinicians feel comfortable prescribing them.
- Odactra is approved by the FDA to treat allergies to dust mites.
- Grastek is approved by the FDA to treat grass allergies.
- Oralair is approved by the FDA to treat grass allergies.
- Ragwitek is approved by the FDA to treat ragweed allergies.
- Itulatek is approved in Canada and expected to be approved by the FDA to treat tree pollen allergies.
What’s the difference: sublingual immunotherapy vs. allergy drops?
The difference between sublingual immunotherapy and allergy drops is easy to understand. Sublingual immunotherapy refers to any immunotherapy treatment option that is administered under the tongue. These types of allergy treatment options include allergy tablets and allergy drops, but what’s the difference between allergy tablets and allergy drops?
Allergy drops can contain a mix of allergens and are able to treat multiple allergies at the same time, so patients who are allergic to dust mites and pollen, or multiple pollens, can address all of their allergy concerns with one treatment. Allergy tablets on the other hand only treat one allergy at a time, which can be the perfect option for patients with only one allergy.
Dosage is another main difference between allergy drops and allergy tablets. Allergy drop doses vary based on the different phases of the treatment plan. The initial dosage for patients starting allergy drops is small, helping the patient’s immune system build allergy tolerance, with less risk of side effects. The dosage is incrementally increased as treatment continues. The dosage in allergy tablets does not change, and patients starting tablets are given the full maintenance dose as soon as treatment begins. Because the initial dosage of tablets is higher than drops, patients are more likely to experience negative side effects. This is why allergists normally administer the first dose of SLIT tablets in their office, so they can observe and monitor the patient for any adverse reactions.
What are sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablets?
Sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablets help desensitize your immune system to certain allergies. They are a form of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) where patients are continuously exposed to small doses of allergens over time, delivered through sublingual tablets. A sublingual tablet is held under the tongue until it dissolves, allowing the small doses of allergens to enter the bloodstream by absorbing quickly through your mouth’s mucous membranes. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablets are an effective way to reduce allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and watering eyes. They do this by boosting your immune system from the inside to fight back directly against some of the most common allergies like ragweed, dust mites, and grasses.
There are several sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablets currently in use on the pharmaceutical market. Odactra is a sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablet for dust-mite allergies. Grastek and Oralair are two different allergy tablets used for treating grass allergies. Ragwitek is a sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablet that targets ragweed allergies, and Itulatek is a sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablet for tree pollen. All of these allergy tablets work in the same biological process to reduce and eliminate allergic reactions and symptoms to the specific allergen or allergens that they target.
What works better: allergy drops or allergy shots?
When comparing allergy drops to allergy shots, there are a few notes to take into consideration before deciding which allergy treatment option is best for you. Allergy drops and allergy shots are both forms of allergy immunotherapy treatment where patients are exposed to small doses of allergens over time to naturally build the immune system’s natural defenses against allergens. Allergy drops are administered sublingually, while allergy shots are administered subcutaneously (shots under the skin).
Some benefits of allergy shots include the ability to administer multiple allergens in one shot, the FDA has approved a number of allergens for the use in allergy shots. When starting allergy shots, you receive an allergy shot one or two times each week, over time the frequency declines to about once per month, depending on your allergy treatment plan. The drawbacks to allergy shots are that they use needles for injection, can only be administered at the doctor’s office, which makes them more expensive due to repeated office visits. They are also known to have a higher risk of negative side effects when compared to allergy drops. A published review measuring how safe immunotherapy is when treating allergic rhinitis concluded allergy drops cause fewer and less severe allergic reactions than allergy shots.
There are several benefits of allergy drops in addition to causing fewer side effects than allergy shots. There is no need for needles or injections. Allergy drops can be taken at home, so they are less expensive than allergy shots. Allergy shots are typically more favorable for children than allergy shots. There are few cons to allergy drops, including the possibility of not being covered by insurance, needing to be taken daily, and allergy drops usually only contain one allergen at a time. Ultimately, since allergy drops are documented as having fewer and less severe side effects than allergy shots, and allergy drops are usually better tolerated by children, you can argue that allergy drops work better than allergy shots under most circumstances.
Do allergy drops work?
Allergy drops do work as a sublingual immunotherapy treatment option for children and adults. There have been many studies confirming the efficacy of allergy drops, and other sublingual immunotherapy treatment options. Allergy drops are known for being tolerated better by children, have fewer and less severe side effects when compared to allergy shots, and are often less expensive. This makes allergy drops a great option to consider for people wanting to save money on allergy treatment, reduce the likelihood of negative side effects when treating allergies, and for the treatment of allergies in children.
Sublingual immunotherapy reviews.
There are several patients who swear by the effectiveness of immunotherapy in reducing and even eliminating allergy symptoms. Here are some comments from a survey where we asked patients receiving sublingual immunotherapy through Curex, how they felt about the treatment.
“Going well. Symptoms reduced. This is the worst time of year here for pollen and it’s definitely better.”
“I’m very happy. Symptoms are improving.”
“Honestly, Curex has been unbelievably effective already. I felt 5–10x better in the first month. I’m so grateful this service exists. I’d be happy to write a testimonial.”
“So far I think it’s going well. I’ve noticed an improvement when I’m around my cat and around my parents’ dogs.”
“More convenient than taking shots and safer to do at home”
“The process is really simple and the people who help you with the drops are really nice. This is an easy way to get immunotherapy.”
“I was horrible with allergies for my entire life. I would get watery eyes, sneeze uncontrollably, get congested and overall would be miserable every Spring, and often throughout the year. After building up on the drops, I go outside for hours in the Spring with zero symptoms on most days and extremely minimal symptoms on windy spring days. I am a fan!”
“Don’t have to go to the office for a shot. More convenient.”
“Less allergy symptoms and more time with my dogs.”
“Effective, easy to do at home, helping me enjoy my time with my pets without getting itchy or sneezing!”
“I have had allergies for years and was totally miserable before starting on allergy drops. Having been on shots twice before, allergy drops are so much easier, more convenient, and so far, have almost alleviated my allergy symptoms.”
“Finally experiencing allergy relief that was not possible with over-the-counter and prescription medication.”
“It’s very convenient and accessible, I highly recommend it to people who have severe allergies and want relief!”
“I have noticed a significant improvement in my symptoms and have enjoyed spending more time with the household pup”
“I have experienced improvements in my symptoms and like that I can receive treatment from the convenience of my home. It’s easy to take the medication everyday.”
Immunotherapy for food allergy — is it real?
Immunotherapy for food allergies is definitely real. Food allergies are a big concern for those who have them, and for parents of children with food allergies. Immunotherapy for food allergies works the same way as immunotherapy for other allergies, like pets or pollens. Patients who are allergic to certain foods are given small doses of the food allergen they are allergic to in order to boost the body’s immune response to those food allergens. The doses are slowly increased as the body begins to react less to allergen exposure, and consistent maintenance doses are continued throughout the immunotherapy food allergen treatment with the goal of desensitizing allergic reactions to those foods altogether. Scientists and researchers have even recently indicated immunotherapy as “a promising treatment for persistent and severe food allergies”, especially for children, in this review paper.
Does immunotherapy work for pet allergies?
Immunotherapy can definitely work for pet allergies, whether it’s something common like dogs or cats, or even horses and other animals. There is a lot of research supporting the use of immunotherapy for pet allergies. There is more research about immunotherapy for cat and dog allergies than other pet allergies. When it comes to cat allergies, for instance, researchers determined a 62% reduction in cat allergy symptoms after receiving immunotherapy in their study. More research on immunotherapy for pet allergies suggested it was effective enough that it should be offered more widely as a treatment option for pet allergies. Although immunotherapy works for pet allergies, as with anything, it doesn’t work the same for everyone. Consult with an immunotherapy specialist about whether or not immunotherapy will work for your pet allergies.
Can dog allergies be treated by sublingual immunotherapy?
Dog allergies can be treated by sublingual immunotherapy to reduce allergic reactions. Some common symptoms that could be indicating you have dog allergies are having a runny nose, sneezing excessively, or even wheezing and shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms after playing with and/or petting a dog, there’s a good chance you’re allergic to dogs, and sublingual immunotherapy can help treat dog allergies. Research analyzing how effective allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is for pet allergies, including cats and dogs, concluded “AIT for pet allergies has good prospects to become wider recognized as a treatment choice in the future”. That particular research was published in 2018, and we are now in the future where AIT treatments like sublingual immunotherapy are recognized more widely as ways to treat dog allergies, and they just might treat your dog allergies for good.
Do allergy drops work for cat allergies?
Allergy drops can be a great option for people who are allergic to cats. A very interesting double-blind placebo controlled study, which is the gold standard in scientific studies, was published in Allergy, the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. It examined how effective sublingual immunotherapy using allergy drops is for treating people who are allergic to cat dander. The placebo group showed regular signs of allergic reactions to cat dander, while the group who received the allergy drops showed a 62% reduction in allergy symptoms and improvement in their reactions to skin tests with cat dander extracts. So if you’re wondering, will allergy drops work for my cat allergies, the answer is, most likely so. Talk to an allergist near you to discuss if you should consider allergy drops for cat allergies.
Treating allergic rhinitis with sublingual immunotherapy.
Sublingual immunotherapy can be a great option for people with allergic rhinitis. Sublingual immunotherapy is a long-term solution for reducing symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, like sneezing, nasal congestion, and an itchy nose. A very recent systematic review and analysis of a number of published scientific studies, all measuring how effective sublingual immunotherapy is for treating allergic rhinitis, was just released. Not only was sublingual immunotherapy shown to be safe and effective, but it was noted that sublingual immunotherapy treatment “significantly reduces symptoms and medication requirements in allergic rhinitis, and improved quality of life”.
Another clinical review looked at how well sublingual immunotherapy worked for treating allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, which includes many of the same symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis. After reviewing scientific literature, researchers were able to identify strong pieces of “evidence to support the use of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis and asthma”. This suggests with confidence that sublingual immunotherapy will work for treating allergic rhinitis in most patients
Treating children with sublingual immunotherapy.
Children can be treated with sublingual immunotherapy. In fact, sublingual immunotherapy is known to cause fewer negative side effects for children when compared to other forms of immunotherapy for children, like allergy shots. Having a lower occurrence and reduced severity of side effects is one of the biggest benefits of sublingual immunotherapy for children. Sublingual immunotherapy can be used to treat children with allergies to pets, pollens, dust mites, and even allergies to foods.
A study, just published, looked at the practical application of immunotherapy treatment for food allergies in children. It stated that because of the safety and effectiveness of immunotherapy for children, “In the near future, pediatricians will increasingly encounter severely allergic children undergoing food allergy oral immunotherapy treatment”. Although sublingual immunotherapy can work to treat children with allergies, the same precautions for any immunotherapy treatment should be taken into consideration when deciding if sublingual immunotherapy is right for your child. Consult with a licensed allergist or immunology specialist before choosing the best allergy treatment option for your child.
Find sublingual immunotherapy providers near me.
Finding a sublingual immunotherapy provider near you is as easy as a quick search for the terms, “sublingual immunotherapy providers near me”. This can be done through voice or text searches and will help you find a sublingual immunotherapy provider near you. If you’re wondering, how can I identify some of the best sublingual immunotherapy providers near me, you can do so by using free search tools, like the Find an Allergist/Immunologist database, offered by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Not only do they identify immunotherapy providers near you who offer sublingual immunotherapy, but they also recognize leaders in the field of allergy and immunology, so you can find the best sublingual immunotherapy providers for your condition. They even identify allergists and immunologists who speak Spanish and other languages, to make understanding sublingual immunotherapy easy for a diverse range of clients.
If you are interested in getting sublingual immunotherapy via telehealth, consider consulting with the largest online allergy & asthma clinic: Curex Allergy. First consultation is free.
How do I find an allergist that does sublingual immunotherapy?
Are you looking for an allergist that does sublingual immunotherapy? These days, finding an allergist near you that does sublingual immunotherapy can be as easy as doing a voice search for, “allergist that does sublingual immunotherapy near me”, but typing in “find sublingual immunotherapy allergist near me” in your favorite search engine still works, and you may even find a recommendation for an allergist that does sublingual immunotherapy from a friend or family member. There are also other resources for locating allergists and immunotherapy specialists that offer sublingual immunotherapy in your area, like using the Find an Allergist tool offered by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. You can search for allergists by city and zip code, to easily find sublingual immunotherapy options near you. Many allergists who offer sublingual immunotherapy also offer virtual visits so you can consult with an allergy clinician from the comfort of your own home. You can also consult with telehealth allergy immunotherapy specialists like Curex Allergy that provides comprehensive allergy treatment services with convenience and affordability of telemedicine.
