NICE recommends allergy immunotherapy tablets for younger children

pharmafile | August 19, 2026 | News story | |  NICE, allergy immunotherapy tablets, severe allergic rhinitis, younger children 

NICE has recommended two sublingual immunotherapy tablets for children with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis whose symptoms are not adequately controlled by standard treatments.

The recommendations mean eligible children can access the treatments on the NHS from the age of five. ITULAZAX has been recommended for children aged five to 17 with allergic rhinitis caused by birch tree pollen, while ACARIZAX has been recommended for children aged five to 11 with house dust mite allergy.

Allergic rhinitis is caused by inflammation inside the nose triggered by an allergic reaction and can lead to symptoms including sneezing, congestion and a runny or blocked nose.

Unlike treatments such as antihistamines and nasal sprays, which are used to control symptoms, allergen immunotherapy is designed to address the underlying allergic response. The tablets contain controlled doses of the relevant allergen and are taken daily under the tongue, following an initial supervised dose.

Professor George Du Toit, Consultant in Paediatric Allergy at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, said: “Severe allergic rhinitis in children deserves to be taken as seriously as any other chronic childhood condition. Many of my patients have spent years on multiple symptom-relieving medications without ever reaching meaningful control.”

He added that the NICE recommendations meant eligible children could, for the first time, access treatment through the NHS that targets the underlying cause of their condition.

Allergic rhinitis affects an estimated 10-15% of children in the UK. Severe symptoms can affect sleep, concentration and school performance.

Dr Robin Gore, President of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, said the recommendations represented “an important step” towards improving access to allergen immunotherapy for children with severe rhinitis caused by birch pollen or house dust mites.

Both treatments are intended for eligible patients whose symptoms remain uncontrolled with symptomatic treatment. The tablets are taken at home after the first dose has been supervised, with treatment generally continuing over an extended period.