Sublingual Immunotherapy Drops for Allergy Treatment

Image credit: snacksafely.com

What is sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)?

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with drops under the tongue, or a fast-dissolving tablet is used by our allergy service, particularly for children with grass and tree pollen allergies, or those with house dust mite allergy. The first dose will be given in hospital under close supervision, and you will be shown exactly how to take the treatment.

Are sublingual allergy drops approved for slit?

Sublingual allergy drops are made from the same raw materials as those used in allergy skin tests and allergy shots. The FDA has long approved these extracts for allergy testing and shots, but they are not currently approved for SLIT. Allergy shots have been used for a long time to treat rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma and bee venom allergy.

Are sublingual allergy drops safe?

While most studies on sublingual allergy drops do show a benefit in the treatment of allergic disease, the results are somewhat inconsistent, with up to one-third of studies showing no benefit over placebo treatment. Over the past 10 years, the safety of SLIT has been well documented.

How does allergy immunotherapy work?

Most people use antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and inhalers to treat these symptoms. Allergy immunotherapy has been very effective in addressing these symptoms and helping reduce reliance on allergy medications. Sublingual immunotherapy is delivered as allergy drops and allergy tablets placed under the tongue.

Can I use sublingual immunotherapy if I have a bee allergy?

If people are being treated for pollen, dust mite or animal allergy, sublingual treatment is the option of choice. However, we cannot use sublingual immunotherapy to treat bee and wasp allergy, and not all pollen and animal allergens are available in tablet or liquid form. In these cases immunotherapy treatment is given as an injection instead.

What Is Sublingual Immunotherapy Drops

1. https://allergynorthwest.nhs.uk/resources/allergy-leaflets/sublingual-immunotherapy-slit/
2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-allergies/could-allergy-drops-be-the-key-to-allergy-relief
3. https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/immunotherapy-factsheet/

Sublingual Immunotherapy Drops Information

1. https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/download/clientfiles/files/Patient%20Information%20Leaflets/Women%20and%20Children_s/Paediatrics/Sublingual%20immunotherapy%20(Grazax).pdf
2. https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/documents/documents/patient-information-leaflets-a-z/sublingual-immunotherapy/
3. https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/CMS-Documents/Patient-leaflets/PaediatricDepartment/6437-1-Sublingual-immunotherapy.pdf