Updated Info on Auvi-Q Epinephrine Injectors

I have been informed that Auvi-Q will not be distributing their epinephrine injectors until the first quarter of 2013.

From the company's PR rep:

"Sanofi has been working hard the past two months to build ample supply of the device to meet the anticipated demand for the product and to help ensure nationwide distribution...manufacturing is occurring following FDA approval to help ensure that when a patient or caregiver does fill a prescription for Auvi-Q, he or she receives a product with an adequate expiration date."

For additional information on this new product, check out the Auvi-Q site. From there you can watch a demo and sign up to be informed when the product becomes available.

There will soon be an alternative to the familiar EpiPen...and this new one talks you through the injection process. Stay tuned.

Peanut Allergy Immunotherapy Has Arrived

Food Allergy Sublingual Therapy

It seems fitting that my 500th Food Allergy Assistant post is one of hope and anticipation.

The letter was addressed "To the parents of...". The return label was from the allergist's office. The envelope was thick and indeed contained the long-awaited announcement.

"Our office has begun peanut sublingual immunotherapy. Do you want to participate?"

Well, yes...but. It turns out we have lots of questions and some logistics to figure out. The office requires a commitment of a two hour appointment every two weeks. Between appointments, we administer the serum at home. There can be no eating for 15 minutes before serum is given and then no eating for 30 minutes after.

It's a lot to ask of a kid.

And then there's the cost. I've seen figures upwards to $3000. Some insurance companies cover it, others don't. It appears that the serum is currently not covered.

We're being offered sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT. This is the process of placing a food extract under the tongue. This is not to be confused with oral immunotherapy (OIT), which is also being actively studied. OIT means increasing amounts of allergenic foods are fed to an allergic individual. This method had a high level of anaphylactic reactions in the past. According to the information we were given, less than 1% of individuals participating in SLIT have experienced allergic reactions.

The next step for me is a little more research, a call to the insurance company and a call to the allergist's office with our questions. I am cautiously excited and will keep you posted on our decision and progress.

Food Allergies and News From Annual Conference of ACAAI

Last week, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) held its annual meeting in Phoenix. The organization, established in 1942, is made up of over 5500 health professionals and is dedicated to improving patient care in the areas of allergy and immunology.

Presenters at the meeting shared studies and research, much of it pertaining to food allergy. I've tracked down a few pieces of relevant presentations. As more is released, I'll share it. In the meantime, this will be of interest to those of us in the food allergy arena:

In a session titled "The Ability of Adults and Children to Visually Identify Peanuts and Tree Nuts", Co-authors: Todd L. Hostetler, MD, and ACAAI Member Bryan Martin, MD, (The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital) report on a study in which only 50% of nut allergic people (ages 6 and up) could identify a picture of the nut they are are allergic to.

In "Adverse Reactions to H1N1 Vaccine after Tolerating Seasonal Flu Immunization", Amber M. Patterson, MD, (The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital) says that tolerance to flu vaccine one year does not suggest future tolerance as the amount of egg in the vaccine varies widely.

In "If Kissing or Sex Leaves You Tingly, Is It Love or Allergies?" Dr. Sami Bahna talked about how allergic reactions to kissing and other intimate acts are more common for those with food and medication allergies.

Something else I've been watching for awhile is the use of Chinese herbs as a cure for peanut allergy. There was a session at the meeting, "Chinese herbs can complement proven allergy treatments", in which it was reported that Food Allergy Herbal Formula, previously shown to reduce anaphylactic reactions in peanut allergic mice, has now been shown to be safe for humans. Sounds promising!

Dr. Bahna, president of ACAAI, raised the ire of some in the food allergy community with several statements about bans 9or not) of peanuts in schools and airplanes.  Check it out and see what you think.

For more information on the ACAAI annual meeting, scroll through the Twitter conversation. More information about the organization can be found at their website.

Did any of these reports have a specific interest for you? I'm thrilled with the continued research on all fronts of food allergy. Let's continue to talk about egg allergy and flu vaccine and peanut allergy bans and promising food allergy cures. Let's keep making forward progress!

Largest Food Allergy Study Set to Begin

After a promising pilot study, doctors at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge will begin a government-funded immunotherapy trial next month. A similar study was conducted in the 1990's. It yielded serious consequences. The difference this time, explains researchers, is that rather than receiving injections of peanut protein, those in this study will receive increasing amounts of peanut flour mixed in yogurt.

It is important to note that this study will only involve children. There will be a therapy and a control group. The control group will think they are getting peanut protein, but will in fact receive a substance of another type.

Researchers think the children will need to continue this immunotherapy process for 2-3 years.

Of course, it can not be stressed enough that this should not be tried at home.

I continue to feel grateful to families who participate in studies like this. Because of these participants, I feel confident that a cure is on the horizon.

Check out the full article.