New Treatment Pending FDA Approval For Peanut Allergies

I know a lot of people whom they or a member of their family have some kind of nut allergy. I remember as a child, nut allergies were not as common as they are today. Many schools in Central New York has rules and restrictions about nuts during snack and lunch times.

This could change with the new treatment for those who suffer from peanut allergies specifically, which could be available as soon as 2019.

The drug that has been tested by numerous people shows that it is possible for those allergic to develop a tolerance for peanuts over time, and is now in the process of being reviewed by the U.S Food and Drug Administration.

According to the research results published in the New England Journal of Medicine, "a phase three trial included 551 people, most ages 4 to 17 with a history of life-threatening reactions after eating peanuts. Participants were given the experimental drug derived from peanuts daily over the course of several months."

Study authors hoped the treatment could allow patients one or two peanuts a day without a severe reaction. Allergist and co-author Stephen Tilles said he was pleased to discover that two-thirds of the people in the study could tolerate two peanuts daily after nine to 12 months of treatment – and half could eat four peanuts a day, according to USA Today.

Almost all children experienced allergic reactions over the yearlong trial funded by Aimmune Therapeutics, but less than 5 percent were classified as severe.

At this current moment in time, there is no known approved treatments for individuals who have to deal with peanut allergies. However, co-author of the study and allergist Jay Lieberman, vice chair of the ACAAI Food Allergy Committee, expects the drug could be approved for use later next year.

"This is not a quick fix, and it doesn't mean people with (a) peanut allergy will be able to eat peanuts whenever they want," Lieberman said in a statement. "But it is definitely a breakthrough."

Do you know someone who could benefit from this treatment?