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Frequently Asked Questions About Sublingual Immunotherapy
(allergy drops)
How much do allergy drops cost?
The costs for prescription sublingual immunotherapy are listed below:
Inhalant (2-10 antigens) $119.00/90-day supply
Inhalant (11-25 antigens) $149.00/90-day supply
Pre/co-seasonal (1 antigen) $119.00/80-day supply
Food (1-5 antigens) $119.00/90-day supply
How do I switch from shots to drops?
If you are currently undergoing allergy shot therapy, you can easily switch to drops based on your current skin or blood test results. (Check with your physician to see if you will require a new test.)
Are drops currently covered by my health-care provider?
Because the allergy drops therapy method was introduced only recently in the United States, they are currently not covered by health insurance plans. However, as the costs of shot-based co-pays, insurance deductibles, and symptom-relieving medications continue to increase, AAAA drops become a much more attractive option.
How do I order drops?
Because allergy drops are available by prescription only, you will need to visit your doctor or health care professional authorized to write prescriptions before getting started. Your doctor will then test you for allergies by conducting either a skin or blood test, in addition to asking a history regarding potential allergens. These tests are generally covered by most health insurance plans. After your doctor or health care professional receives your test results, he/she will complete a prescription form to be sent to our pharmacy. At this time, you will complete a payment form in your doctor’s office to be sent along with your prescription.
What is sublingual immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is the process of gradually introducing the body to small amounts of the allergens that causes the body a reaction. Put simply, small doses of whatever you are allergic to is carefully put into your body until you build up immunity to it. The “sublingual” portion refers to how the dose is given: instead of a shot, a few allergy drops are placed under the tongue once daily. Sublingual immunotherapy is also called SLIT and is commonly referred to as allergy drops.
What are allergy drops?
Allergy drops are the finished dosage form in the final container that are made from the allergy extracts. Allergy drops are also called a "biological drug product", as referred to by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Who may use allergy drops?
- Children and adults
- Needle-phobic people
- Asthma and allergic rhinitis sufferers
- People with numerous allergies, including mold allergies
- People who are not able to commit to weekly allergy shots
- People with an intolerance to the side effects of medications
What is an allergen?
An allergen is the substance that causes your allergies. Examples of allergens are: weeds, trees, grasses, molds, dust mites, and animal hair. Allergens are also referred to as antigens.
What are allergenic extracts?
Allergenic extracts are also called "biological drug substances". They are the sterile products extracted or filtered by government licensed manufacturers from the source material containing the allergen.
What are the benefits of allergy drops?
- Safe and Effective: Allergy drops are safe for most people. The drops typically begin working within months, often only after a few weeks, and may eliminate allergies within three years. We follow the published consensus panel recommendations of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA).
- Convenience and Compliance: Allergy drops are portable and easy to use. You may use them in the comfort of your own home. This will help you follow your treatment plan, and increase your ability to continue therapy as directed by your doctor.
- Painless: Allergy drops may mean the end of avoiding medical care because of a fear of needles and the pain they cause.
- Less Expensive: Allergy drops are generally less expensive for everyone: patients, employers, and insurance carriers. The cost of weekly visits to the clinic for shots may be eliminated, and loss of workdays due to allergy attacks may also be avoided. The cost involved with over-the-counter allergy medications may also decrease due to allergy drops.
Is sublingual immunotherapy safer than injection therapy?
Current data suggests that it is safer than injection therapy. In fact, one of the major advantages of sublingual immunotherapy is that it is considered so safe that it may be administered in your home. Also, there are no reported fatalities relating to SLIT.
How long will I need to take my drops?
Typically, patients will give themselves the drops once daily for three to five years until a tolerance is built up; at which time the allergic reaction may be eliminated.
Are the allergy extracts FDA approved?
Yes, they are approved for injection therapy, but the process has not yet been submitted to the FDA regarding sublingual therapy. Although many SLIT studies have been conducted worldwide, United States SLIT literature is deficient. Therefore, allergy drops are currently not FDA approved. However, allergy drops use the same, proven medical antigens as the traditional allergy shots have for years. They are also prepared by a licensed pharmacist in the same manner as allergy shots.
How will the doctor know what allergies I have?
A skin or blood test is generally performed by a physician in order to determine your specific allergies.
Why do I need to sign a waiver?
Your physician may ask that you sign a waiver to ensure that you understand all of the recognized risks, out-of-pocket expenses, and the need for daily use of allergy drops for several years.
What are the cost benefits?
The cost of allergy drops is generally less than the cost of the combination of physician visits, gas, time, and allergy medications. Please note that insurance usually does not cover the cost of allergy drops, and this will most likely be an out-of-pocket expense.
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