Comparative efficacy and safety of subcutaneous versus sublingual immunotherapy

[...]the same authors report that in a 1-year open-label extension, the clinical efficacy of SLIT became more evident, as did a reduction in bronchial hyperreactivity.\n Although severe reactions are rare with SLIT, local side effects, including angioedema and pruritus of the lips and floor of the mouth, are experienced in most subjects, especially in the first few weeks of treatment.E5,E6 This notion is important because SLIT is administered by subjects in their homes; despite this excellent safety record, recently approved SLIT formulations are recommended to be first taken under medical supervision, and patients are recommended to carry an epinephrine autoinjector.E6 Other considerations in choosing SCIT versus SLIT Optimal dosing The optimal dosing for SCIT has been established for some of the common aeroallergens through clinical trials, with most allergens ranging between 5 and 20 [micro]g of major allergen per injection.E6 There are 19 standardized SCIT extracts, including venom (n = 6), grass pollen (n = 8), short ragweed, cat dander (n = 2), and house dust mite (n = 2). Because she had perennial symptoms likely related to multiple pollen and indoor allergies and, in particular, had severe symptoms around cat dander, she and her mother opted to receive SCIT.