Top in allergy/asthma: Alternative to epinephrine injections; food allergy testing in kids

A study involving an oral allergen challenge revealed promising results for a sublingual epinephrine strip, a delivery method that is being evaluated as an alternative to epinephrine autoinjectors.

Anaphylm (Aquestive Therapeutics) is a small, sublingual film that contains epinephrine and dissolves quickly in the mouth without needing water or swallowing. It is about the size of a postage stamp and comes in a package thinner than a credit card, making it easy to carry in a pocket or wallet. This alternative to traditional epinephrine autoinjectors aims to reduce patient fears by eliminating the needle.

“It’s one thing to say that a patient requires a certain therapy, but if they need it during an emergency situation, during a rescue opportunity, and they don’t have it on them, then it does no good,” Carl Kraus, MD, FACP, chief medical officer at Aquestive, told Healio. “Making sure that they’re carrying and overcoming that barrier of portability is really critical.”

The researchers found that symptoms completely resolved in a median of 12 minutes after Anaphylym was administered. When Anaphylym was not administered, symptoms resolved in a median of 74 minutes.

It was the top story in allergy/asthma last week.

In another top story, researchers found that testing children with atopic dermatitis for a food allergy may be unnecessary and dangerous.

Read these and more top stories in allergy/asthma below:

Allergen-related symptoms resolve within 5 minutes with epinephrine sublingual film

Allergen-related symptoms resolved within 5 minutes after an oral allergen challenge with the Anaphylm sublingual epinephrine strip, according to press release fromthe manufacturer. Read more.

Communication may dissuade food allergy testing for children with atopic dermatitis

Allergists should resist the pressure to test children with atopic dermatitis for food allergies, David R. Stukus, MD, FACAAI, said during the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting. Read more.

Roflumilast may improve atopic dermatitis symptoms, pruritus

Roflumilast cream improved signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis, according to a presentation at the ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting. Read more.

Lipid-lowering medications associated with increased anaphylaxis severity

Patients using lipid-lowering medications experienced increased anaphylaxis severity, data from anabstract presented at ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting revealed. Read more.

Biologic use low among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps showed low biologics use and high discontinuation rates, according to a presentation at the ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting. Read more.