In this post, we are covering sublingual immunotherapy and our convenient root-cause treatment of allergies.
Some of the patients we see have completed courses of allergy shots, or “subcutaneous immunotherapy” (SCIT). They know the time involved: driving to the place where the shots are administered, receiving the injection, then waiting to ensure that there isn’t an adverse/allergic reaction. Adherence is naturally a big struggle not only because of the difficulty of this process but also because travel becomes difficult when expected to be at the doctor’s office weekly and because it is painful. Treating allergies doesn’t have to be this complicated.
On the flip side, some of the patients we see are regularly taking prescription or over-the-counter allergy medications that may temporarily resolve the symptoms, but don’t address the underlying root cause. Over time, these medications are expensive and may have undesired side effects.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) offers the best of both of these two scenarios – the convenience of something that can be taken orally while addressing the root cause – immune dysfunction.
SLIT uses drops that are made with antigen [allergen] extracts in a liquid base, typically with glycerin. SLIT allergy drops are shipped directly to your home in a three-month supply containing vials. Every three months the dose is increased in order to continue the immune-modulating desensitization process. Every vial is compounded specifically to address your personal allergens, in one solution that is administered three times daily for up to two to five years.
Not only does SLIT offer you a convenient way to address your allergies but it is also affordable, effective, and safe. Age does not appear to be a limitation to treatment.
SLIT is growing in popularity in the US and is already popular in Europe (with some countries reporting up to 50% use). Clinical use in the US dates back more than 100 years, so this treatment modality isn’t new. Until now, though, thorough research hasn’t existed to demonstrate SLIT’s efficacy. Hundreds of studies have been compiled over the past 20 years establishing its safety and effectiveness. Over 340 articles are referenced in the World Allergy Organization Journal and cited in their 2013 Position Paper on SLIT.¹
After we complete food and inhalant allergy/sensitivity testing, results are sent to our compounding pharmacy partner, and a customized oral formulation is created, addressing each of your identified food and inhalant allergies. SLIT drops are administered under the tongue and held there for 30 seconds, typically two to three times daily. Your case is re-evaluated every 90 days, and dosages are increased as tolerated with every new 90-day supply of formulation.
Just like allergy shots, the SLIT treatment protocol is a long-term solution and doesn’t take full impact until months or years from the start of the protocol. That’s because allergen doses are slowly increased over time to gradually develop your tolerance.²
| Initial Oral Intolerance | Symptom Relief | Long Term Tolerance |
| 0-2 months | 3 months to 2 years | 2 to 5 years* |
| Your body adjusts to treatment & symptoms may improve | As symptoms decrease, your body is changing your allergen tolerance | Symptoms improve & your tolerance increases. Length of treatment determined by doctor. *Varies based on allergy complexity and adherence. Foods may take longer.³ |
When our patients want to gain foods back that they are allergic to, or when allergy season is expensive and impacts overall lifestyle, they often choose SLIT. Check out this list of candidates that SLIT is impactful for.⁴
According to the World Allergy Organization 2013 Position Paper on SLIT, to be eligible for this treatment, one should have a history of symptoms related to allergen exposure documented positive allergen-specific IgE test.⁵
Additionally, appropriate candidates for SLIT would meet one or many of these selection criteria:
Have other questions about SLIT? Check out FAQs here, or you can book an appointment at our functional medicine clinic by clicking here. We are also happy to speak with you at (317) 989-8463, Monday-Thursday, from 8AM – 5PM Eastern time.
Sources:
1 https://waojournal.biomedcentral.com/articles?searchType=journalSearch&sort=PubDate&page=1
2 https://www.allergychoices.com/for-patients/
3 https://www.allergychoices.com/for-patients/steps-to-allergy-drop-treatment/
4 https://www.allergychoices.com/for-patients/who-benefits-from-allergy-drops/
5 https://waojournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1939-4551-7-6
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