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Article: Sublingual immunotherapy relieves allergic rhinitis.(Evidence-Based Medicine)
- Article from:
- Clinical Advisor
- Article date:
- February 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Haymarket Media, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY RELIEVES ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Level 1: Likely reliable evidence
Immunotherapy may be effective in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis symptoms who have failed other treatments. Therapy is generally provided in the form of "allergy shots" given subcutaneously according to a schedule (often weekly) of carefully titrated antigen doses. The injections may be discontinued after four to five years because immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels remain low and patients show continued improvement in signs and symptoms. The use of sublingual or oral immunotherapy avoids the risk of anaphylaxis, but the necessarily large doses cause GI distress. ...