- New Allergy Medicine Survey Reveals Need for Improvement -

    ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- If you're one of 40 million
Americans who suffer from allergies and have tried different medications
hoping to find better symptom relief, you're not alone.  A number of doctors
say current allergy treatments, both over-the-counter and prescribed, leave
room for improvement when it comes to providing the complete symptom relief
patients want.
    According to a national survey of allergists and primary care physicians
(PCPs) released today, more than 65 percent of physicians said they are only
somewhat satisfied with currently available medications for treating
allergies. Consequently, more than 50 percent of allergists and 39 percent of
PCPs said they prescribe more than one medication to their patients.
 The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) sponsored the
survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc., to foster discussion among the
medical community about currently available allergy medications and the need
for improvements and enhancements.
    "There are a variety of allergy medications that claim to provide
different types of allergy symptom relief," said John Santilli, M.D., co-chair
of ACAAI's rhinitis and sinusitis committee.  "Although the prescribed
treatments at least provide some relief, there is considerable room for
improvement."
    In the survey, physicians said the most important attributes when
evaluating an allergy medication are its abilities to be fast-acting, provide
24-hour symptom relief and to be non-sedating (69 percent of allergists,
66 percent of PCPs and more than 90 percent of both allergists and PCPs rated
each attribute, respectively, at least very important if not absolutely
essential).
    However, when asked whether current medications were living up to these
attributes, allergists responded that prescription oral antihistamines
required some amount of improvement in their abilities to be fast-acting,
providing 24-hour symptom relief and being non-sedating (95 percent,
95 percent and 83 percent, respectively).
    "Often my patients don't receive adequate symptom relief fast enough,
which prevents them from living their daily lives fully," said Warren V.
Filley, M.D., ACAAI fellow and clinical professor of medicine and clinical
instructor of pediatrics at the Oklahoma University Medical Center in Oklahoma
City.  "As a result, they end up switching medications or using additional
treatments to augment the total symptom relief current drugs are unable to
provide individually."
    Both allergists and PCPs agreed that the main reason patients switch
medications is because they want improved relief of the symptoms associated
with allergies, including sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, itching of eyes,
nose and throat and watery eyes.  Consequently, more than 50 percent of
allergists and 39 percent of PCPs prescribe more than one medication to their
patients.
    In addition, to compensate for inadequacies of prescribed antihistamines,
75 percent of allergists and 50 percent of PCPs also recommend other
treatments to their patients, such as nasal sprays, eye drops and steroid
inhalers to enhance treatment.
    "Allergic disorders affect more than 40 million Americans and is the sixth
leading source of chronic illness in the United States," said Dr. Santilli.
"It's important that people recognize what triggers their allergies and ask
their doctors for the best form of treatment available --knowing that improved
or enhanced treatments are on the horizon."
    The survey, made possible by an educational grant from Sepracor, is being
released at the ACAAI annual conference in Orlando, Fla. The physicians'
responses coincide with a variety of topics planned for discussion concerning
allergies, asthma and immunology, including potential new allergy treatments
under development.
    The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is a professional
medical organization comprised of 4,200 qualified allergists-immunologists and
related health care professionals headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The
ACAAI is dedicated to the clinical practice of allergy, asthma and immunology
through education and research to promote the highest quality patient care.

                      Contacts:  Alissa Maupin
                                (212) 299-3961
                                alissa.maupin@pr21.com

                                Jo Ann Faber
                                847-427-1200
                                joannfaber@acaai.org

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