Hayfever hope in daily tablet
A DAILY tablet dissolved under the tongue can protect people against spring hay fever and thunderstorm asthma.
Australian scientists found it teaches the immune system to tolerate the allergen for up to a decade, if given daily for four months over three years.
By coincidence, the Alfred Hospital trial occurred during the thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne in November 2016, which claimed nine lives and forced thousands to seek emergency medical treatment.
Among the patients on the trial who were taking the tablet, none developed the potentially life-threatening complications.
“None of our patients who had the treatment who were exposed to this event developed thunderstorm asthma,” The Alfred’s Director Allergy Professor Robyn O’Hehir said yesterday.
Among the patients on the trial who were not taking the drug, 40 per cent had an asthma exacerbation and went to the doctors or emergency.
People who have spring hay fever are vulnerable to epidemic thunderstorm asthma, which includes shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness.
The drug used in the trial, Oralair, has already been shown to effectively treat spring hay fever and many people who go through the desensitisation program do not need further treatment for up to 10 years.
The drug is on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, but people can access it for around $350 for four months with a referral to an allergist from their general practitioner. not