A new allergy immunotherapy tablet could replace shots in the treatment of grass allergies.
Grass allergies are the most common seasonal allergy in the U.S., a GREER news release reported. Many people are allergic to more than just one type of grass; this new tablet protects against allergic reactions to five different types of grass.
The tablet, dubbed ORALAIR®, dissolves easily under the tongue. The first dose would be taken under medical supervision; after that the doses would be taken once a day at home.
The pill would be recommended for anyone between the ages of 10 and 65 and treatment would begin about four months before the start of grass pollen season and continue throughout.
Extensive clinical trials were conducted on the drug in both Europe and the U.S. and encompassed over 2,500 adults and children.
Adverse side effects were experienced by about five percent of the study participants, these included "oral pruritus, throat irritation, ear pruritus, mouth edema, tongue pruritus, cough, and oropharyngeal pain," the news release reported. The treatment could also cause "life-threatening allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis and severe laryngopharyngeal edema," the news release reported.
"We are very pleased with the FDA's approval of ORALAIR® and believe it will provide a valuable treatment alternative for many patients with grass allergies," John G. Roby, GREER president and CEO, said in the news release. "Until now there has not been a sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet available for grass allergic patients. As part of our dedication to advancing allergy immunotherapy, we look forward to launching ORALAIR® with our partner STALLERGENES and bringing this treatment option to patients here in the U.S."
The pill was originally approved in Europe in 2008 and Canada in 2012; it is used in 31 countries around the world including "Australia, and Russia," the news release reported.
Over 20 million doses have been given to over 110,000 patients.
