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ITV News
7 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
New drug to treat hay fever: How does it work?
It's the height of summer - meaning warmer weather, ice cream, and, unfortunately for many of us, hay fever. But tens of thousands of people in England could soon benefit from a new under-the-tongue tablet that provides long-term relief for hayfever symptoms. The drug Betula verrucosa has been recommended as an option on the NHS for people whose hayfever symptoms persist even after taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays. Tens of thousands of allergen sufferers are set to receive the new treatment, but what is it and how does it work? What is Betula verrucosa? Betula verrucosa or Itulazax 12 SQ-Bet is an under-the-tongue immunotherapy tablet which has proved successful in alleviating symptoms during drug trials. How does the treatment work? The medication contains birch pollen extract, which works to help build your body's resilience to tree pollen. Controlled daily amounts of the allergen will help train the body's immune system. Trials of the drug show a significant reduction in hay fever symptoms as the body adapts to the allergens by changing how it responds over time. Recipients of the drug will be required to take it daily for three years. What are the symptoms of hay fever? NHS England lists the following symptoms for hay fever: Sneezing and coughing A runny or blocked nose Itchy, red or watery eyes; Itchy throat, mouth, nose, and ears Loss of smell Pain around the sides of your head and your forehead Headaches Feeling tired The treatment is being recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to those who are on the NHS and persist in using nasal sprays or taking antihistamines. Nice estimates that around 27,000 people in England are expected to benefit from the tablet, but before having access to the medication, patients will be required to have blood tests or a skin prick to confirm they have an allergy to birch tree pollen. According to Allergy UK, birch pollen allergy is estimated to affect around 25% of hay fever sufferers. Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: 'Many people don't realise how awful it is having an itchy, runny nose, sneezing episodes or itchy, irritated eyes in the pollen season. 'We frequently hear from people who avoid time outdoors, keep doors and windows shut, check pollen counts, and try and minimise any exposure, which takes a significant toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing. 'Nice's recommendation is so important because it provides a genuine opportunity for people to manage the root cause of their pollen allergy, offering the chance to break free from this burden and enjoy a better quality of life.' The NHS in England will provide the treatment within three months of Nice publishing its final guidance. Professor Meghana Pandit, co-medical director at NHS England, welcomed the announcement. She said: 'This innovative treatment, which will soon be rolled out on the NHS, enables patients to build up tolerance to birch tree pollen within their immune system, rather than just treating the symptoms – and we hope this will give many a new lease of life, allowing people to spend time enjoying being outside, without the discomfort allergies can bring.'
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of hay fever sufferers will soon be prescribed a new treatment on the NHS
Read on for some of the ways hay fever can disrupt a sufferer's life RELIEF ON NHS Thousands of hay fever sufferers will soon be prescribed a new treatment on the NHS Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of hay fever sufferers will soon be prescribed a new treatment on the NHS. An under-the-tongue tablet — sold under brand name Itulazax — trains the body to tolerate more pollen through exposure. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up And trials show it can significantly reduce the worst allergy symptoms. NHS spending watchdog Nice has now recommended it for people whose hay fever persists after basic treatment. Nice's medicines evaluations chief Helen Knight said: "This treatment will help improve people's quality of life. "Severe tree pollen allergies trap people indoors during beautiful weather and disrupt their work, education and family life. "The daily tablet offers genuine long-term relief rather than just managing symptoms." However, it only works on those with a birch pollen allergy — which is about a quarter of hay fever sufferers, estimated to be 27,000 people. The NHS in England will offer it within three months of Nice publishing its final guidance. Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: "Many people don't realise how awful it is having an itchy, runny nose, sneezing episodes or itchy, irritated eyes in the pollen season. "We frequently hear from people who avoid time outdoors, keep doors and windows shut, check pollen counts and try and minimise any exposure, which takes a significant toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing. "Nice's recommendation is so important because it provides a genuine opportunity for people to manage the root cause of their pollen allergy, offering the chance to break free from this burden and enjoy a better quality of life." hayfever recommendations from a boots pharmacist
Leader Live
21-07-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Thousands of people with debilitating hayfever to benefit from new drug
Betula verrucosa, sold under the brand name Itulazax 12 SQ-Bet and made by Alk-Abello, is an under-the-tongue immunotherapy tablet that contains birch pollen extract. The drug trains the immune system to tolerate tree pollen over three years of daily use. It has been recommended as an option on the NHS for people whose hayfever symptoms persist even after taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays, by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). Severe tree pollen allergies can cause debilitating symptoms for some people during the spring and summer months, including fatigue, breathing difficulties, inflamed sinuses, itchy, watery eyes, and vision changes. Trials show the tablet can significantly reduce the symptoms of severe hayfever by changing how the body responds to allergens. The immunotherapy works by gradually increasing the body's tolerance to tree pollen through controlled daily exposure to small amounts of pollen. Before being given the tablets, patients will require skin prick or blood tests to confirm an allergy to birch tree pollen. Nice estimates that about 27,000 people in England are expected to benefit from the recommendation. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: 'This treatment will help improve people's quality of life. 'Severe tree pollen allergies trap people indoors during beautiful weather and disrupt their work, education and family life. 'The daily tablet offers genuine long-term relief rather than just managing symptoms.' According to Allergy UK, birch pollen allergy is estimated to affect about 25% of hayfever sufferers. Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: 'Many people don't realise how awful it is having an itchy, runny nose, sneezing episodes or itchy, irritated eyes in the pollen season. 'We frequently hear from people who avoid time outdoors, keep doors and windows shut, check pollen counts and try and minimise any exposure, which takes a significant toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing. 'Nice's recommendation is so important because it provides a genuine opportunity for people to manage the root cause of their pollen allergy, offering the chance to break free from this burden and enjoy a better quality of life.' Emil Stage Olsen, general manager UK and Republic of Ireland at ALK, added: 'We welcome this positive Nice recommendation, which is another meaningful advancement for the UK allergy community. 'Our focus is now on working closely with the NHS to ensure eligible patients can benefit from this first-in-class immunotherapy.' The NHS in England will provide the treatment within three months of Nice publishing its final guidance.
Glasgow Times
21-07-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Thousands of people with debilitating hayfever to benefit from new drug
Betula verrucosa, sold under the brand name Itulazax 12 SQ-Bet and made by Alk-Abello, is an under-the-tongue immunotherapy tablet that contains birch pollen extract. The drug trains the immune system to tolerate tree pollen over three years of daily use. It has been recommended as an option on the NHS for people whose hayfever symptoms persist even after taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays, by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). Severe tree pollen allergies can cause debilitating symptoms for some people during the spring and summer months, including fatigue, breathing difficulties, inflamed sinuses, itchy, watery eyes, and vision changes. Trials show the tablet can significantly reduce the symptoms of severe hayfever by changing how the body responds to allergens. The immunotherapy works by gradually increasing the body's tolerance to tree pollen through controlled daily exposure to small amounts of pollen. Before being given the tablets, patients will require skin prick or blood tests to confirm an allergy to birch tree pollen. Nice estimates that about 27,000 people in England are expected to benefit from the recommendation. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: 'This treatment will help improve people's quality of life. 'Severe tree pollen allergies trap people indoors during beautiful weather and disrupt their work, education and family life. 'The daily tablet offers genuine long-term relief rather than just managing symptoms.' According to Allergy UK, birch pollen allergy is estimated to affect about 25% of hayfever sufferers. Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: 'Many people don't realise how awful it is having an itchy, runny nose, sneezing episodes or itchy, irritated eyes in the pollen season. 'We frequently hear from people who avoid time outdoors, keep doors and windows shut, check pollen counts and try and minimise any exposure, which takes a significant toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing. 'Nice's recommendation is so important because it provides a genuine opportunity for people to manage the root cause of their pollen allergy, offering the chance to break free from this burden and enjoy a better quality of life.' Emil Stage Olsen, general manager UK and Republic of Ireland at ALK, added: 'We welcome this positive Nice recommendation, which is another meaningful advancement for the UK allergy community. 'Our focus is now on working closely with the NHS to ensure eligible patients can benefit from this first-in-class immunotherapy.' The NHS in England will provide the treatment within three months of Nice publishing its final guidance.
Rhyl Journal
21-07-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Thousands of people with debilitating hayfever to benefit from new drug
Betula verrucosa, sold under the brand name Itulazax 12 SQ-Bet and made by Alk-Abello, is an under-the-tongue immunotherapy tablet that contains birch pollen extract. The drug trains the immune system to tolerate tree pollen over three years of daily use. It has been recommended as an option on the NHS for people whose hayfever symptoms persist even after taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays, by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). Severe tree pollen allergies can cause debilitating symptoms for some people during the spring and summer months, including fatigue, breathing difficulties, inflamed sinuses, itchy, watery eyes, and vision changes. Trials show the tablet can significantly reduce the symptoms of severe hayfever by changing how the body responds to allergens. The immunotherapy works by gradually increasing the body's tolerance to tree pollen through controlled daily exposure to small amounts of pollen. Before being given the tablets, patients will require skin prick or blood tests to confirm an allergy to birch tree pollen. Nice estimates that about 27,000 people in England are expected to benefit from the recommendation. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: 'This treatment will help improve people's quality of life. 'Severe tree pollen allergies trap people indoors during beautiful weather and disrupt their work, education and family life. 'The daily tablet offers genuine long-term relief rather than just managing symptoms.' According to Allergy UK, birch pollen allergy is estimated to affect about 25% of hayfever sufferers. Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: 'Many people don't realise how awful it is having an itchy, runny nose, sneezing episodes or itchy, irritated eyes in the pollen season. 'We frequently hear from people who avoid time outdoors, keep doors and windows shut, check pollen counts and try and minimise any exposure, which takes a significant toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing. 'Nice's recommendation is so important because it provides a genuine opportunity for people to manage the root cause of their pollen allergy, offering the chance to break free from this burden and enjoy a better quality of life.' Emil Stage Olsen, general manager UK and Republic of Ireland at ALK, added: 'We welcome this positive Nice recommendation, which is another meaningful advancement for the UK allergy community. 'Our focus is now on working closely with the NHS to ensure eligible patients can benefit from this first-in-class immunotherapy.' The NHS in England will provide the treatment within three months of Nice publishing its final guidance.
