Sublingual immunotherapy - not ready for prime time

There have recently been a number of practitioners, mostly non-allergists, offering sublingual immunotherapy, or "allergy drops." Allergy drops have become increasingly popular in Europe, where high concentration drops are approved and available. While studies in Europe have shown that these drops have some efficacy, they have generally been found less effective than subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots). Studies showing efficacy have only been done with individual allergens, and there is no evidence that sublingual immunotherapy has any effect when multiple allergens are used. Additionally, there are no FDA approved extracts for sublingual immunotherapy in the United States, and any sublingual immunotherapy performed is not FDA approved. Since there are no sublingual extracts available for use in this country, many practitioners offering this unapproved procedure are using the extracts approved for use in allergy shots. These extracts are not concentrated enough to deliver the high doses shown to be effective in sublingual immunotherapy, which requires far higher doses than the injections. Therefore, the vast majority of practitioners offering sublingual immunotherapy in the United States are offering doses too low to provide any real benefit, as well as providing multiple allergens which further dilutes any possible effect. The safety and efficacy of this procedure is unproven, and severe reactions have been reported. At Allergy & Asthma Care, we provide only approved and proven treatments. If sublingual immunotherapy becomes FDA approved, appropriate extracts become available and are proven safe and effective, we will be happy to offer it to our patients. Please see the following article for more information. Download Sublingual immunotherapy.