What Are Allergy Drops and How Do They Work?

Learn more about what allergy drops are, how they work, and treatment time.

January 1, 2022

Allergy Immunotherapy

Allergy immunotherapy is a prescription for environmental and seasonal allergies.  Immunotherapy involves repeated exposure to very small but increasing amounts of an allergen in an attempt to change the immune system's response. The goal is that the immune system will no longer see the problematic allergen as a threat, and will no longer produce the traditional allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing or runny nose. 

What are allergy drops?

Allergy drops, also known as sublingual immunotherapy, are a common alternative to allergy shots. Allergy drops introduce low doses of the specific allergens that you are allergic to, and are meant to be taken under the tongue where they’re absorbed by the body. Over time, the body will build up a tolerance to these allergens, lessening or completely eliminating the allergic reaction.  The recommended course of treatment is 5 years to gain long term symptom relief.

 

How do allergy drops work?

Allergy drops treat the cause of allergies whereas common over the counter antihistamines only treat the symptoms. And most times people need to switch their antihistamines every few months because they tend not to be as effective when taken every day.

Allergy drops introduce small amounts of an allergen to the body, with the goal of reducing the body’s sensitivity to the allergen over time. Allergy drops are taken under the tongue, three times daily, so it’s easy to take them at home, at work, while traveling, and pretty much anywhere. They even pass through TSA easily.

When your body is exposed to something you’re allergic to, your immune system responds by producing common allergy symptoms, like coughing, sneezing, congestion or runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

But with repeated exposure to small but increasing doses, your body eventually becomes tolerant of the allergen, so you get fewer or less severe symptoms when exposed to larger amounts of it.

Do allergy drops work?

Yes, allergy drops provide long-term symptom relief from both seasonal allergies and environmental allergies, like dust, mold and animal allergies! Several studies have proven that allergy drops work  just as well as allergy shots in treating allergies and allergic rhinitis.

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Are allergy drops safe? 

Yes, allergy drops are safe and do not produce anaphylaxis like allergy shots are known to do on occasion. Allergy drops produce little to no reaction, which is why they are completely safe for both adults and kids to take at home.

Some very mild symptoms that sometimes occur with allergy drops are: 

  • Mild tingling sensation in the mouth. This is short lived and typically goes away after the first bottle of drops is complete.
  • While extremely rare, mild stomach upset has been known to happen after taking allergy drops, however this subsides after a short period of time.

Do I have to go to a doctor’s office to get allergy drops?

One of the great benefits of allergy drops is that you can take them at home. There is no need to take time off school or work to go to a doctor’s office, like with allergy shots. With allergydrops.com, we make it easy to get your allergy drops customized via telemedicine appointments at your convenience.  

 

How much do allergy drops cost?

We offer three payment plans to meet your needs, ranging from $40 - $60 a month depending on the plan you choose. The good news? You can pay for your allergy drops with your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flex Spending Account (FSA).  

 

Are there any needles involved in taking allergy drops? 

Absolutely not! Allergy drops are pain free and easy to take. They also come in four delicious flavors: apple, raspberry, grape and strawberry.

How do I get my allergy drops?

Once your test results come in, a representative will reach out to you to set up a telemedicine appointment with an allergy specialist to review your results and go over exactly what is causing your allergic reactions. 

Then, your customized allergy drops will be formulated with only the allergens you are allergic to.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach with allergy drops, they are completely customized to YOU!

Allergy drops are placed under the tongue, and generally they are spaced out during the day. Most take one drop in the morning, one midday, and one in the evening, although many find it easier to take two drops in the morning and one at night or vice versa. It’s recommended to wait at least 20 minutes after taking allergy drops before eating or drinking. After the initial dose is taken, it’s completely normal to take the drops on your own at home.

Allergy drops will be mailed to your home in a glass vial. Each vial lasts approximately three months and will be auto-shipped to your home every 90 days. 

How long does it take for allergy drops to work?

The time for one to notice allergy relief from allergy drops can vary, although we typically see results within 6 to 12 months after the start of treatment. Pro tip: it is completely normal and OK to be taking antihistamines for the first three months of treatment!

In general, it’s a good idea to begin your allergy drops 3 to 4 months before your problematic allergy season starts to get a jump start on your treatment.

If you are like the thousands of people we’ve helped, you are tired of taking antihistamines and ready for a real, long-term solution that actually works. Look no further! At allergydrops.com, we have the solution you’ve been looking for.


Further Reading
All About Spring Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Spring Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
March 8, 2022
Who is a Candidate for Allergy Drops?
In this article, we explain who the best candidates are for allergy drops.
February 15, 2022