Oral Allergy Treatment May Ease Asthma Study Finds

Oral Allergy Drops are a Pretty Good Option for Some Allergy and Allergic Asthma Sufferers, Study Review Shows

A scientific review of 63 published studies affirms that putting small amounts of purified grasses, ragweed, dust mites, pollen and mold, in liquid drops under the tongue is a safe and effective alternative to weekly injections of those allergens or the use of other medications, in treating symptoms of allergies and allergic asthma in some people.

Results of the review, conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins, are contained in a report to be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association online March 27. The report is believed to be the largest synopsis of its kind, reviewing previous research comparing various therapies designed to stop the wheezing, sneezing and runny nose that accompany allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma, researchers say.

Specifically, the Johns Hopkins team analyzed 63 studies, involving some 5,131 participants, almost all in Europe, where allergy drops, or so-called sublingual immunotherapy, have been widely available for nearly two decades. Sublingual therapies have not been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but physicians in the United States do use the drops “off-label” for some patients.

In eight of 13 studies evaluated, researchers found what they say is “strong evidence” that drop therapy produced a 40 percent or greater reduction in coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest compared with other treatments, including inhaled steroids.

In nine of 36 studies comparing allergy drops to other allergy treatments, including antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays, researchers found that allergy drops produced a 40 percent or greater reduction in symptoms of runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion, results which they describe as “moderate evidence” in support of using sublingual immunotherapy.

“Our findings are clear evidence that sublingual immunotherapy in the form of allergy drops are an effective potential treatment option for millions of Americans suffering from allergic asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis,” says senior study investigator Sandra Lin, M.D.

According to Lin, an associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, allergy drops are more convenient for many people because they can be taken at home, and allow such individuals to avoid the discomfort and travel time needed for regularly scheduled trips to the physician’s office for an allergy shot. Lin says that, according to current estimates, as many as 40 percent of Americans suffer from some form of allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma.

Lin cautions that drop therapies may not be for all sufferers of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma, but that many will want to weigh the risks and benefits of sublingual immunotherapy before deciding on long-term treatment options.

Study funding was provided by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The corresponding grant number is HHSA 290-2007-10061.

Other Johns Hopkins researchers involved include Jodi Segal, M.D., M.P.H.; Darcy Ward, B.A.; Yohalakshmi Chelladurai, M.B.B.S.; Catalina Suarez-Cuervo, M.D.; Murugappan Ramanathan, M.D.; Julia Kim, M.D., M.P.H.; and Nkiruka Erekosima, M.D., M.P.H.

Oral Allergy Treatment May Ease Asthma, Hay Fever – WebMD


Decoded Science

Oral Allergy Treatment May Ease Asthma, Hay Fever
WebMD
In the new review, researchers found "strong" evidence that under-the-tongue immunotherapy eased symptoms of allergy-induced asthma: In eight of 13 studies, patients saw more than a 40 percent improvement in symptoms, versus patients who either got a
New Allergies and Asthma Treatment: Sublingual ImmunotherapyDecoded Science
Hate Allergy Shots? Oral Allergy Drops Are a Pretty Good Option for Some Newswise (press release)
Allergy drops a good alternative to shots, analysis saysSt. George Daily Spectrum

all 6 news articles »

View full post on asthma – Google News

Asthma drug can ease agony of constant itch, too – NBCNews.com (blog)


NBCNews.com (blog)

Asthma drug can ease agony of constant itch, too
NBCNews.com (blog)
Schaeffer's doctor, Dr. Sarbjit Saini of Johns Hopkins Medicine, and colleagues reported their findings at a meeting in San Antonio on Sunday of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and in the New England Journal of Medicine. Schaeffer
Asthma Drug Curbs Chronic HivesMedPage Today
Asthma Drug Found Highly Effective in Treating Chronic, Severe Hives and ItchNewswise (press release)
Novartis Reports Omalizumab Significantly Improved Chronic Idiopathic PR Newswire (press release)

all 4 news articles »

View full post on asthma – Google News

Could a patch containing a protein produced by dust mites EASE your asthma? – Daily Mail


Daily Mail

Could a patch containing a protein produced by dust mites EASE your asthma?
Daily Mail
As well as treating existing asthma sufferers, it is hoped the new patch could also be used to prevent the disease developing in the first place in children. House dust mites, which are related to the spider family, are usually less than half a

and more »

View full post on asthma – Google News

Asthma: Could a patch containing a protein produced by dust mites EASE your … – Daily Mail


Daily Mail

Asthma: Could a patch containing a protein produced by dust mites EASE your
Daily Mail
As well as treating existing asthma sufferers, it is hoped the new patch could also be used to prevent the disease developing in the first place in children. House dust mites, which are related to the spider family, are usually less than half a

View full post on asthma – Google News

Study finds Prevacid doesn’t ease asthma – TheNewsTribune.com

Study finds Prevacid doesn't ease asthma
TheNewsTribune.com
CHICAGO – An acid reflux drug often used for hard-to-treat asthma doesn't help children with the breathing disease and may cause side effects, a study in 300 children found. LINDSEY TANNER; The Associated Press CHICAGO – An acid reflux drug often used
UVa researcher finds common asthma treatment unbeneficialThe Daily Progress

all 2 news articles »

View full post on asthma – Google News