Itulazax 12SQ-Bet Tablets 30 for white birch pollen allergen

Always follow the use instructions from your doctor or allergy specialist when taking your daily dose of Itulazax at home. 

For extra information, make sure you thoroughly read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medication. 

How to take itulazax

Once you’ve taken your first dose under the medical supervision of your doctor or allergy specialist, you can continue to take Itulazax at home. 

You’ll take one tablet daily and be careful not to exert too much force on the tablet when removing it from its foil strip. 

Place the tablet under your tongue and keep it there until it has fully dissolved. Don’t swallow for at least a minute and don’t eat or drink for at least a further 5 minutes. This allows the daily dose to be fully absorbed.

If you accidentally take more Itulazax than you should, you may experience localised side effects in the mouth and throat. If these become severe, you should seek emergency medical attention. Never double up on doses if you forget to take one. Simply take it when you remember and then take your next dose at your usual time. Only take one Itulazax tablet each day.

How long do I need to take Itulazax for?

This type of immunotherapy treatment is considered a long-term treatment, and it’s advised to take a daily dose of Itulazax for 3 years for maximum effect. Ideally, treatment should be started 4 months ahead of your local tree pollen season.

Some people who start taking Itulazax may experience some short-term side effects. You may notice side effects starting within 10 minutes of taking your daily dose - normally they will decrease within an hour. Mild side effects generally occur within the first few days of treatment and should disappear during weeks 1-12 of treatment.

If you experience any of the following signs of a serious allergic reaction, stop taking Itulazax immediately and contact your doctor:

• Your asthma gets noticeably worse than normal

• Severe swelling of the throat

• Difficulty in swallowing 

• Difficulty in breathing

• Changes in your voice (eg hoarseness)

• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

• Feeling of fullness in the throat

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• Itching of the ears, mouth or tongue

• Swelling of the mouth

• Irritating sensation in the throat

• Prickling sensation of the mouth

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Runny nose

• Oral allergy syndrome (itching and/or swelling in the mouth and throat after eating certain raw vegetables, fruits or nuts)

• Altered taste

• Eye symptoms (eg itching, tearing, swelling, redness)

• Cough

• Dry throat

• Hoarseness

• Shortness of breath

• Pain in the mouth or throat

• Swelling of the throat

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhoea

• Heartburn

• Pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing

• Painful or burning feeling of the tongue

• Numbness of the mouth

• Swelling of the lips or tongue

• Lip itching

• Nausea

• Mouth discomfort

• Blisters in the mouth

• Prickling sensation of the throat

• Inflammation in the mouth

• Hives

• Chest discomfort

• Sensation of something stuck in the throat

Read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medication for a complete list of any possible side effects. A copy of this will also be in the medication packaging or box.

When you shouldn’t take Itulazax tablets

Don’t take Itulazax tablets if:

• You are allergic to any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

• You have poor lung function – your doctor will decide this.

• You have had severe asthma worsening or uncontrolled asthma episodes within the last 3 months – your doctor will decide this.

• You have an illness that affects the immune system, are taking medicine that suppresses the immune system or have cancer.

• You have recently had a tooth taken out, other forms of mouth surgery, or have mouth ulcers or mouth infections. Your doctor may recommend delaying the start of the treatment or stopping treatment until your mouth has healed.

If you would like to talk to our Healthcare Advisors about any concerns around side effects please call us on 01295 262925 or email help@oxfordop.co.uk.