Side Effects of Sublingual Immunotherapy

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a treatment for allergies in which the allergist gives the patient small doses of whatever they are allergic to in drops placed under the tongue. The dosage is gradually decreased as a way to increase the body's tolerance to the allergen and reduce the symptoms of the allergy.

Efficacy

Testing has shown that although sublingual immunotherapy has shown less effectiveness than subcutaneous or nasal allergy therapy, some patients find it an effective treatment for allergy symptoms.

Testing

The patient's allergies are tested with a series of subcutaneous injections to determine what substances will compose the sublingual dose.

Treatment

The treatment starts with a four month escalation phase in which the dose is gradually increased. Once the dosage reaches the maintenance phase, the patients continues with a stable dosage until symptoms of the allergy abate.

Side Effects

Side effects are rare. In 20 years of studies and trials, SLIT treatment hasn't been shown to have serious side effects or to be life threatening. No fatalities have ever occurred during SLIT treatment. Irritation and itching at the site of dosage has been reported as well as weeping eyes, wheezing or itchy skin rashes in a handful of cases. Over time the skin might become less reactive to the allergy dosing. Studies have shown no measurable changes in bronchial response or asthmatic symptoms, and a reduction in symptoms of rhinitis or other nasal symptoms with sublingual immunotherapy.

Digestive System Symptoms

In some cases diarrhea or abdominal pain has occurred after SLIT treatments. Temporarily reducing dosages reduce such symptoms immediately.

References

• Johns Hopkins Sinus Center
• Sublingual immunotherapy Anthony J. Frew, MD, FRCP,a and Helen E. Smith, DM, FFPHMb
• The Optimism and the Issues: Giovanni B. Pajno, MD Messina, Italy