Dissolving Tablet Offers Possible Alternative To Allergy Injections
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If you suffer from allergies, you may no longer need to get a shot for medical relief.
As CBS 2's Tamara Leitner reported Friday, an alternative to injections has been presented -- a tablet or pill that dissolves under the tongue.
The tablets are popular in Europe, but have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this purpose in the U.S., Leitner reported.
Allergy doctor Clifford Bassett told Leitner that the pill appears to be safe, as well as effective. He also said an off-label oral drop form of the pill is available in the U.S., but it is costly.
"Many people don't know about it because its not covered by their insurance. But about 10 percent of allergists are providing this to their patients," Bassett said.
The pill would allow allergy sufferers to treat their symptoms in the comfort of their own homes, rather than going to the doctor, Leitner reported.
Longtime allergy sufferer Ron Bulwith said he would gladly try the pill over his weekly allergy shots.
The tablets available now treat only specific allergies such as ragweed and grass pollen allergies, Leitner reported.
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