| Are you chained to your weekly allergy shot | | | | year out of your pocket. |
| treatments? Typically shots need to be given once a | | | | Advantages of Allergy Drops |
| week and require not only time but money as well. | | | | Save time - the patient visits the doctor only two or |
| Allergy drops which have been used in Europe for | | | | three times a year versus as many as 52 |
| some time are now being offered here in the United | | | | Save Money - reduced patient visits equals reduced |
| States. These drops are given at home and therefore | | | | copayments |
| can reduce the cost of doctor office visits even if you | | | | Much More Convenient - patient received the |
| only have a copayment. | | | | prescription at the office and places the drops under |
| Allergy shots and allergy drops are both | | | | his or her tongue at home |
| immunotherapy treatments allergists use for their | | | | Some patients have experienced adverse reactions to |
| patients. The "new" sublingual allergy drops(not to be | | | | sublingual allergy drops. The risk is similar to that of |
| confused with eye drop treatments) have the same | | | | taking allergy shots but you can see that most people |
| goal of slowly making the sufferer immune to | | | | would think that the advantages far outweigh the risk |
| whatever allergen is causing their problems. This is | | | | of having to deal with a reaction on their own. Typically |
| sometimes referred to as desensitization. | | | | you would seek medical treatment immediately. |
| Disadvantages of Allergy Shots | | | | Many allergists will begin a patient's treatment using |
| Allergy shots can be inconvenient because they | | | | both shots and allergy drops and if the drops show a |
| require a weekly trip to the doctor's office. Typically, | | | | reduction in symptoms similar or better than the shots |
| shots consist of diluted versions of the allergen to | | | | the allergist will most likely suggest that the patient |
| which the patient reacts. The patient then has to wait | | | | move to just the drops. Given the convenience of this |
| approximately 30 minutes after the injections to make | | | | course of treatment it has been shown that more |
| sure there is no adverse reaction before leaving the | | | | people will take the drops on a regular basis in |
| allergist's office. | | | | comparison to the injections. |
| Allergy shots can be costly. Even if you don't count | | | | Treatments get better every day, rumor has it that |
| the time lost out of work or school there is usually a | | | | allergy pills are around the corner that will treat more |
| cost associated with the office visit itself. Even if the | | | | than the symptoms of allergies but will act as |
| shots are covered by your medical insurance typically | | | | replacements for the allergy drops and allergy shots |
| there is a copayment with each visit. I know my | | | | that exist for immunotherapy therapy treatments that |
| copayment for an office visit is $15. If you have to go | | | | exist today. Though immunotherapy does not work for |
| every week that adds up to a whopping $780 per | | | | everyone if it does the effects can seem miraculous. |