SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY: YES OR NOT?

Key words: Sublingual immunotherapy, Desensitization, Allergy, Pollens

Desensitization through the sublingual route is very popular and covers about 50% of the market. There is general consensus on its biological efficacy but at a more careful scrutiny its widespread use does not appear totally justified. If costs, limited short-term efficacy and no long-term efficacy are taken into account, the traditional iv route still seems preferable. The iv route is more practical, less expensive and, most important, effective also off therapy, at least for pollens and insect poison.