The FDA announced this week that it has approved Odactra for the treatment of house dust mite allergies.
The FDA announced the news in a press release sent out on March 1. That press release mentions how Odactra is the first allergen extract to be administered sublingually (under the tongue) for the treatment of house dust mite (HDM)-induced nasal inflammation – also known as allergic rhinitis.
The treatment has been specifically approved for the treatment of allergies in people 18 to 65 with or without eye inflammation (conjunctivitis).
House dust mite allergies are the body’s reaction to tiny bugs commonly found in house dust. Yes, that dust you see around your home isn’t just dead skin and dirt: dust is often filled with microscopic bugs called dust mites.
To make things even creepier, dust mites are close relatives of ticks and spiders. They’re often too small to be seen without a microscope, and can be found all over your home – including your bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpeting.
Common symptoms of dust mite allergies include a cough, runny nose, nasal itching, nasal congestion, sneezing, and itching or watery eyes. All of these symptoms are your body reacting to the dust mites in your home.
FDA Approves Odactra After A Massive Clinical Trial
The FDA only approves treatments after they’ve demonstrated their value in large scale clinical trials.
In the case of Odactra, the treatment was evaluated in studies conducted within the United States, Canada, and Europe. Those studies involved a total of 2,500 people. During these studies, some people received Odactra, while others received a placebo pill.
Then, participants were asked to report their symptoms, and whether or not they needed to use symptom-relieving allergy medications.
Patients who took Odactra experienced a 16 to 18% reduction in symptoms and the need for additional medications compared to a placebo group.
Side Effects Of Odactra
Some of the common side effects of Odactra included nausea, itching in the ears and mouth, and a swollen mouth or lips.
Who Makes Odactra?
Odactra is made by Catalent Pharma Solutions, Limited, a UK-based pharmaceutical group. That company makes the drug for Merck, Sharp & Dohme Corp (a subsidiary of Merck and Co, Inc.), which is based in New Jersey.
Odactra Review Summary
The approval of Odactra means that allergy sufferers have an alternative treatment available to them. If you suffer from dust mite allergies inside your home, then the only major solution was to take allergy medication to manage your symptoms.
Now that Odactra has been approved, you can reduce your reliance on allergy medication and access an alternative treatment – just take an Odactra pill to relieve house dust mite allergy symptoms.
