PALFORZIA is FDA-Approved! What does this mean for Peanut Allergy Patients?
PALFORZIA, an oral immunotherapy, has become the first FDA-approved treatment for patients with peanut allergies. Learn more about what this may mean for you and your family.
The eagerly-awaited PALFORZIA is here! The first FDA-approved treatment for patients with peanut allergies. Peanut allergies are one of the most common food allergies in the world, affecting more than 1.6 million children and teens in the United States alone. This burdensome issue impacts not just patients but also their families, friends, schools and caregivers– peanuts are everywhere, and the danger of a serious reaction related to an accidental peanut exposure can consume their daily lives.
What is PALFORZIA?
PALFORZIA is an oral immunotherapy (OIT), developed by Aimmune Therapeutics, indicated for the mitigation of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to peanuts. The goal of OIT is to help prevent this severe reaction if there is accidental exposure. PALFORZIA is currently approved for ages 4-17.
How does it work?
The doctors starts with microscopic amounts of peanut and gradually increases the
dose to develop tolerance. The capsules are designed to be broken open and spread on food and are generally well tolerated. It often takes approximately 6 months to reach maintenance doses. Patients who receive OIT would continue to carry epinephrine, read labels closely, etc., as OIT does not completely cure the individual of the peanut allergy – they will still need to take care in what they eat and be prepared in case a reaction occurs.
While there is no cure, PALFORZIA’s approval by the FDA brings great hope that there could be an adjuvant therapeutic option for a select group of peanut-allergic kids.
What to do next.
To find out if your child is a candidate for PALFORZIA and get answers to your treatment questions, the first step is to have a discussion with a board-certified allergist. Allergy and Asthma Center’s providers are on standby to help, so schedule your consultation with us today!
This is a landmark decision and Allergy & Asthma Center plans to welcome the PALFORZIA peanut option as soon as possible. Please stay tuned as we continue to cover this topic and keep the public up-to-date.
United States Census Bureau Quick Facts (2015 estimates)
