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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
Epinephrine Use in Clinical Trials of Sublingual Immunotherapy Tablets
Hendrik Nolte1, Thomas B Casale2, Richard F Lockey2
1Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ.
Background:
Allergy immunotherapy can result in systemic allergic reactions and even life-threatening anaphylaxis requiring epinephrine administration.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to describe epinephrine use in the clinical trial development programs of 3 rapidly dissolving sublingual immunotherapy tablets (SLIT-tablets; Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ/ALK, Hørsholm, Denmark/Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan).
Methods:
Data on epinephrine use were collected from 13 timothy grass SLIT-tablet trials (MK-7243; ≤2800 bioequivalent allergen units/75,000 SQ-T dose, n = 2497; placebo, n = 2139), 5 short ragweed SLIT-tablet trials (MK-3641; ≤12 Amb a 1-U, n = 1725; placebo, n = 770), and 11 house dust mite (HDM) SLIT-tablet trials (MK-8237; ≤12 SQ-HDM; n = 3930; placebo, n = 2246).
Results:
In grass SLIT-tablet trials, epinephrine was used 13 times (grass SLIT-tablet, n = 10; placebo, n = 3). Eight administrations were for grass SLIT-tablet-related adverse events (AEs): 4 for systemic allergic reactions and 4 for local mouth and/or throat swelling. In ragweed SLIT-tablet trials, epinephrine was used 9 times in 8 subjects (ragweed SLIT-tablet, n = 7; placebo, n = 1 [2 administrations for protracted anaphylaxis]). Four administrations were for ragweed SLIT-tablet-related AEs: 1 for systemic allergic reaction and 3 for local mouth and/or pharynx/throat swelling. In HDM SLIT-tablet trials, epinephrine was administered 13 times (HDM SLIT-tablet, n = 8; placebo, n = 5). Four administrations were for HDM SLIT-tablet-related AEs: 1 for systemic allergic reaction and 3 for local events. Of the 16 epinephrine administrations for events related to SLIT-tablet treatment, 11 occurred within the first week of treatment (7 administrations on day 1) and 5 were subject self-administered.
Conclusions:
Epinephrine administrations in response to SLIT-tablet-related reactions in clinical trials are uncommon, typically occur within the first week of treatment, and are rarely self-administered. All SLIT-tablet-related events treated with epinephrine were nonserious.
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