Oralair approval warrants caution

On April 1, the FDA approved the first sublingual oral immunotherapy tablet for grass allergies. The landmark approval comes with a word of caution from Michael Foggs, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, according to a press release.

“The approval of oral immunotherapy tablets is advancement in the right direction,” Foggs said in the release. “It’s an additional treatment option for those who are allergic to some types of grasses, but not those allergic to other varieties of grass, trees and weeds.”

Michael Foggs

Oralair (sweet vernal, perennial rye, Orchard, Timothy and Kentucky blue grass mixed pollens allergen extract, Greer/Stallergenes) is indicated as immunotherapy for the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis confirmed by positive skin test or in vitro testing for grass pollen-specific IgE antibodies for any of the five grass species contained in the product. It is indicated for patients aged 10 to 65 years.

Foggs added that the tablets would be ideal if they could be customized like subcutaneous immunotherapy; plans for that are not yet under way.

“Since allergy treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach, treatment needs to be tailored to an individual’s needs,” he said in the release.