peanut allergy - FDA approves new drug

The FDA has approved the first drug to treat peanut allergies in children and teens. This condition affects almost a million kids in the US alone.

By: IANS | | Updated: February 4, 2020 8:50 am

Peanut allergy affects approximately one million children in the US and only one out of five of these children will outgrow their allergy. @Shutterstock

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first drug to treat peanut allergies in children and teens. Treatment with the drug, Palforzia, can be used for children between 4 and 17 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy, the FDA said in a statement. The drug is designed to minimize the incidence and severity of a child’s allergic reaction to peanuts, as even a small amount of exposure can be harmful to children with the allergy. Also Read - Iron deficiency in children: Prevention tips for parents

“When used in conjunction with peanut avoidance, Palforzia provides an FDA-approved treatment option to help reduce the risk of these allergic reactions in children with peanut allergy,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Also Read - Kidney diseases in children - everything you need to know

Peanut allergy affects approximately one million children in the US and only one out of five of these children will outgrow their allergy. Palforzia is a powder manufactured from peanuts and packaged in pull-apart capsules and a sachet, according to the FDA. Also Read - Symptoms of food allergies in kids and how to deal with it

The powder is emptied from the capsules or sachet and mixed with a small amount of semisolid food — such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. The effectiveness of Palforzia is supported by a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in the US, Canada and Europe in approximately 500 peanut-allergic individuals.

Published : February 4, 2020 8:49 am | Updated:February 4, 2020 8:50 am

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