Purified Allergen Drops Could Replace Vaccine or Pills for Treating Seasonal Symptoms

Liquid allergy drops may be the new treatment to help out those suffering from seasonal symptoms.

According to CNN, these tiny drops of purified allergens - such as pollen or dust mites - are placed under the tongue as an alternative to weekly allergy shots. The drops work like a vaccine, slowly increasing the body's tolerance to the allergen.

The Food and Drug Administration has yet not approved these drops for use in the United States, but new evidence published this week by the Journal of the American Medical Association could pave the way for American pharmaceutical companies.

"There is a tremendous interest in this treatment," said Dr. Clifford Bassett, medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York. "As such there have been and are currently clinical trials underway by various companies looking to try to get an approval and come to the U.S. market in the years ahead."

Sixty-three studies were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the allergy drops, according to Dr. Sandra Lin from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Researchers found strong evidence that the drops improve asthma symptoms, with eight of the 13 studies reporting an improvement of more than 40 percent. Moderate evidence decreasing allergic rhinitis was also found, including symptoms such as a runny nose or congested sinuses that are similar to those caused by the common cold.

In 16 of 41 studies, allergy medication use decreased significantly among participants taking sublingual immunotherapy.

The researchers concluded that these under-the-tongue drops are effective, but that more research is needed to determine the optimal doses.

Up to 40 percent of Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma, according to the journal article. Currently patients are administered allergen immunotherapy through skin injections, Bassett said. Allergy drops could be more convenient than these allergy shots, as they could be administered quickly and easily at home.

"I expect this year's pollen season to be among the worst, in part due to higher pollen levels ... maybe made worse by warmer temperatures and climates," Bassett said.