New Allergy immunization, et al

[Guest guest]

Q " My allergist said I would be a good candidate for sublingual allergy drops.

Why is this treatment not yet approved by the FDA, especially since the United

Kingdom uses it exclusively, as opposed to allergy shots. What are the pros and

cons?

A: Sublingual immunotherapy is currently being used in the United Kingdom and

other countries in Europe, although I do not believe that this form of

immunotherapy is being used exclusively in any country. To review quickly,

allergen immunotherapy of any type is essentially a form of slow vaccination

against a specific allergen that changes the way the immune system responds to

that allergen. Rather than viewing the allergen as a potential germ that must be

fought off, the immune system learns to ignore, or tolerate it. Allergy shots

work well, although they can cause whole-body allergic reactions, which can be

dangerous. In addition, injections are time consuming because they are most

safely given in a physician's office, and the therapy requires many visits over

a period of three to five years.

Allergists interested in finding an easier, safer, and more practical means of

achieving the same results developed sublingual immunotherapy, whereby a

specially prepared solution of allergens is held in the mouth for a short period

(usually a few minutes) and then swallowed (some studies have been done on a

method in which the solution is spat out). The person begins treatment with a

very weak solution that gradually gets stronger over time, until he or she is

able to ingest concentrated amounts of the allergen without reacting. Based on

the experience of doctors and patients overseas, the rate of whole-body

reactions is almost zero, and the most common side effect is minor itching or

other local symptoms in the mouth or throat. In addition, patients can go

through the treatment at home, by themselves. Safety and convenience are

therefore the primary advantages of this type of treatment.

The major disadvantage of sublingual immunotherapy is that it appears to be less

effective than injection immunotherapy. Still, it may be strong enough for

patients with less severe allergies. A point that has yet to be answered is

whether different allergens can be taken together, and if so, how this should be

done. Most patients who suffer from significant allergies are allergic to a

variety of things and are best treated with immunotherapy that includes all the

allergens relevant to them.

Much more about this at the website:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/publicsite/index.aspx?puid=81f7d903-08b0-4859-ad82\

-26f7895f9801 & p=1 & xid=nl_EverydayHealthAsthmaandAllergies_20090426

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Web cam of Dr. Gwen Nichols, explaining how to read your blood tests.

Click on doctor's writing pad.

http://nydailynews.healthology.com/cml_mm/focusarea.htm

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This is a web cam about severe bone pain while taking Gleevec explained by

Carolyn Blasdel, Dr. Druker's nurse.

http://nydailynews.healthology.com/cml_mm/video1889.htm

FYI,

Lottie