Seasonal Allergies

Season Allergies

Allergies are nothing to sneeze at, especially for Alphas and others with lung-related ailments such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the peak pollen counts of spring, summer and fall, people with Alpha-1 and COPD need to take special care to limit exposure to allergens that can aggravate breathing difficulties.1

If you suspect that you have allergies, consult a physician for testing and treatment advice. In the meantime, the following survival tips1 also may help.

  • Be ready for allergy season. Plants and trees pollinate in reasonably predictable order every year.2 Allergy medications taken before exposure to allergy-causing substances can help prevent an outbreak of symptoms.3
  • Air-condition your car and home and keep your windows closed to keep the pollen out. Clean your air-conditioning units often to prevent the growth of mold. Change your filters regularly.4,5
  • Install a high-efficiency media filter with a MERV rating of 12 on your furnace and air-conditioning unit. Leave the fan on to create a "whole house" air filter that removes over 90% of particles that cause allergies. Be sure to change the filter every three months (with the change of the seasons) to keep your air cleaner year-round.5
  • Avoid windy weather. It can aggravate allergies.2
  • Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to keep pollen from irritating the eyes.3
  • Bathe and wash your hair at night to keep pollens out of bedding.4
  • Take a vacation at the beach during peak allergy seasons. Ocean breezes can help clear away pollen and relieve allergy symptoms.2

GLASSIA [Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human)]

GLASSIA is indicated for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy in individuals with emphysema due to congenital deficiency of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (Alpha1-PI), also known as alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency.

  • The effect of augmentation therapy with GLASSIA or any Alpha1-PI product on pulmonary exacerbations and on the progression of emphysema in Alpha1-PI deficiency has not been demonstrated in randomized, controlled clinical trials.
  • Clinical data demonstrating the long term effects of chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy of individuals with GLASSIA are not available.
  • GLASSIA is not indicated as therapy for lung disease in patients in whom severe Alpha1-PI deficiency has not been established.

Detailed Important Risk Information for GLASSIA

  • GLASSIA is contraindicated in IgA deficient patients with antibodies against IgA. GLASSIA is contraindicated in individuals with a history of severe immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to Alpha1-PI products.
  • GLASSIA is made from human plasma. It may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, such as viruses, and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent.
  • Administer GLASSIA at room temperature at a rate not greater than 0.04 mL/kg body weight per minute. If anaphylactic or severe anaphylactoid reactions occur, discontinue the infusion immediately.
  • Administer GLASSIA within 3 hours of entering the vials.
  • Safety and effectiveness in patients over 65 years of age have not been established.
  • Two serious adverse reactions observed on two separate occasions during clinical studies with GLASSIA were cholangitis and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • The most common product-related adverse reactions in clinical studies were headache and dizziness.

Please see GLASSIA Full Prescribing Information for full prescribing details.

ARALAST NP [Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human)]

ARALAST NP is indicated for chronic augmentation therapy in patients having congenital deficiency of A1-PI with clinically evident emphysema.

  • The effect of augmentation therapy with ARALAST NP on pulmonary exacerbations and on the progression of emphysema in alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency has not been demonstrated in randomized, controlled clinical trials.
  • Clinical data demonstrating the long-term effects of chronic augmentation or replacement therapy of individuals with ARALAST NP or ARALAST are not available.
  • ARALAST NP is not indicated as therapy for lung disease patients in whom congenital A1-PI deficiency has not been established.

Detailed Important Risk Information for ARALAST NP

  • ARALAST NP is contraindicated in IgA deficient patients with antibodies against IgA, due to the risk of severe hypersensitivity.
  • ARALAST NP is derived from pooled human plasma. It may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent.
  • The recommended rate of administration (≤0.08 mL/kg/min) should be closely followed and vital signs monitored continuously. If anaphylactic or severe anaphylactoid reactions occur, the infusion should be discontinued immediately.
  • Safety and effectiveness in patients over age 65 years of age have not been established.
  • ARALAST NP should be administered at room temperature within three (3) hours after reconstitution and should be administered alone, without mixing with other agents or diluting solutions.
  • The safety of ARALAST NP was evaluated with ARALAST in a crossover clinical PK comparability study. The most common adverse events deemed related to ARALAST NP included headache and musculoskeletal discomfort. No serious adverse reactions or deaths were reported in the study. In the ARALAST pivotal study, the most common adverse events were headache and somnolence.

Please see ARALAST NP Full Prescribing Information for full prescribing details.

References

  1. World Health Organization. WHO strategy for prevention and control of chronic respiratory diseases. http://www.who.int/respiratory/publications/WHO_MNC_CRA_02.1.pdf. Published 2002. Accessed June 9, 2011.
  2. Tips to Remember: Outdoor Allergens. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/outdoorallergens.stm. Accessed June 9, 2011.
  3. Bassett, CW. Ocular Allergies. Allergy & Asthma Advocate the Quarterly patient newsletter of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/advocate/2007/summer/ocular_allergies.asp. Accessed June 9, 2011.
  4. Topic of the Month: April 2005: Staying Ahead of Spring Allergy Season. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/0305/. Accessed June 9, 2011.
  5. House Dust Allergy. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website. http://www.acaai.org/patients/resources/allergies/Pages/house-dust-allergy.aspx. Accessed June 9, 2011.