ALLERGY IMMUNOTHERAPY—ACARIZAX

House dust mites are the most common allergies and are often found in household furniture like mattresses, sofas, and carpets. The waste product of house dust mites can cause allergic reactions that may present as allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma. This is also known as respiratory allergy. People who are sensitive to house dust mites usually experience symptoms of respiratory allergy throughout the year. 

What is allergy immunotherapy?

Allergy immunotherapy contains allergen extract from house dust mites. Allergy immunotherapy is for the treatment of house dust mite allergy that is characterized by sneezing, runny or itchy nose, nasal congestion, and related allergic asthma. Allergy immunotherapy works by increasing immune tolerance to house dust mites to reduce the severity of allergic reactions over time. Before starting treatment, your doctor will perform an allergy test to confirm you are allergic to house dust mites. 

How to take Acarizax?

Once you confirm to have an allergy to house dust mites through an allergy test, your doctor will start you with Acarizax. The recommended adult dose for Acarizax is 1 tablet, taken once daily. The medication is prepared in sublingual form where the patient just needs to put the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve by itself for 1 minute. It is best to avoid eating and drinking anything for 5 minutes after taking this medication. After starting these medications, it may take between 8 and 14 weeks of using these medications regularly, before symptoms begin to improve. The complete cycle for the treatment lasted for 3 years. 

Who is not suitable to take these medications?

1. Have previously had a severe or life-threatening reaction to house dust mite immunotherapy
2. Have unstable and severe asthma 
3. Taking beta blocker
4. Have inflammatory conditions of the mouth like a severe yeast infection or recent removal of teeth

What are the potential side effects of Acarizax?

Acarizax contains the house dust mites that the patient is allergic to, so there might be some side effects that may occur during treatment. The side effects are usually local and mild to moderate. The most common side effects are:

1. Swelling of the mouth 
2. Itching of mouth
3. Throat irritation 

Side effects usually peak in 2 weeks 2 and 3 of treatment and subside by week 4.  Antihistamine can be taken 1 hour before Acarizax to manage the side effects and they do not affect the efficacy of Acarizax. Side effects usually subside when patients persist with treatment as the body builds up a tolerance to the house dust mites allergen over time. Usually, doctors will ask their patients to take the 1^st dose of Acarizax in their clinic to monitor if there are any side effects.

Benefits of Acarizax:

1. Proven efficacy
2. Easy to administer
3. Cost-effective
4. Convenient-> Easy to bring along when traveling 
5. Proven safety profile