Sublingual Tablets Alleviate Grass Allergy Symptoms

Allergic rhinitis affects nearly one quarter of people in westernized countries. Treatment consists of allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, and specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Only SCIT has a disease-modifying effect, but it carries the burden of several years of injections and possible systemic reactions. The regulatory agencies in several European countries have approved sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) preparations, including a freeze-dried 5-grass-pollen tablet (Oralair).

In an industry-sponsored, randomized study, 633 European patients were treated for 3 years with placebo or SLIT therapy starting either 2 months before or 4 months before — and continuing through — the grass-pollen season. Mean symptom scores in the active-tr…