Previously on this blog, we reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be examining a new treatment for seasonal allergy sufferers that comes in pill form and is essentially posed as an alternative to allergy shots.
According to HealthDay News, the FDA met on Tuesday, January 28, to discuss this new drug and ultimately ruled it safe and effective. The next step is for the drug to gain approval from the government agency so that people can begin using it.
"The brainchild of Merck & Co., Ragwitek is made of ragweed pollen and helps the body become immune to it," explains the source. "Patients begin taking the pill, which is placed under the tongue, 12 weeks before the ragweed pollen season begins and continue taking it through the season's end. In the United States, the ragweed season usually starts in September and runs through the fall."
This could potentially bring relief to the millions of Americans who suffer from ragweed allergies, which are characterized by a stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itching and congestion. It could be especially beneficial for children, who would no longer have to get frequent shots to keep their symptoms under control.
Here at Allergy Be Gone, we're closely following these developments and will notify readers when we find out more about Ragwitek and whether it will become available to Americans. In the meantime, if you're looking for simple, affordable ways to combat your seasonal allergies, consider purchasing our bedding for allergies, whole house air purifiers and other allergy solutions.
