House Mite Allergy Remedy Approved

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an allergen extract to be used sublingually to treate allergic reactions to house dust mites.

The product is meant to treat nasal inflammation with or without eye inflammation in adults 18 through 65.

It is called Odactra and is made for Merck, Sharp & Dohme by Catalent Pharma Solutions in the United Kingdom. It is a once daily tablet to be taken year round. It can take 8 to 14 weeks for the product to work. It gradually trains the immune system to reduce the frequency and severity of nasal and eye allergy symptoms, the FDA reported.

Safey and efficacy studies involved 2,500 people in the US, Canada, and Europe.

People taking it reported a 16% to 18% reduction in symptoms and needed less symptom-relieving allergy medications compared to those who got a placebo.

The approval came from the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

House mite allergies are a reaction to tiny bugs found in house dust, creatures too small to be seen without a microscope.

They are found in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpeting.

The FDA made the announcement March 1.