Acarizax is a desensitising agent; the tablet makes the body less sensitive to the substances in the faeces of the house dust mite. The active substance is a standardised allergen extract of the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae.
Acarizax tablets contain an allergen extract from two types of house dust mites. The tablets ensure that the immune system responds less vigorously to the allergen. This reduces allergic reactions in people who are hypersensitive to dust mites. This product is also suitable for young people from 12 years old.
Acarizax is a desensitisation treatment; the tablet makes the body less sensitive to the substances in the faeces of the house dust mite. The active ingredient is a standardised allergen extract from the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae.
Doctors prescribe Acarizax for an allergy to house dust mites. The symptoms that occur with this condition include: .
- Inflammation of the nasal mucosa (allergic rhinitis). This is associated with symptoms such as sneezing, a runny or congested nose;
- Irritation of the conjunctiva. This presents symptoms such as red, itchy, watery or inflamed eyes;
- Irritation in the mouth and throat, such as itchiness or a burning sensation;
- Lower respiratory tract symptoms, like asthma, shortness of breath and coughing;
- Headache;
- Fatigue, lack of energy.
These symptoms occur because the immune system reacts too strongly to certain substances (allergens) in the excrement of the house dust mite. Acarizax gradually accustoms the body to these substances. As a result, your immunological tolerance increases and the symptoms decrease.
Acarizax melting tablets should be used as follows:
- The melting tablet is very soft. Therefore, carefully take the melting tablet out of the packaging with dry hands, as explained in the leaflet;
- Place the tablet directly under the tongue and do not swallow for 1 minute;
- After taking the tablet, you should not eat or drink for five minutes;
- It may take some time before the effect of this medicine is noticeable. Usually improvement occurs after 8 to 14 weeks;
- You should use this product for a long period of time, usually referring to a treatment duration of several years;
- The first time you use Acarizax, you must remain under the supervision of a doctor for at least half an hour after taking the tablet. This is a precaution in case you have a severe reaction to the substances in the medicine;
- If you forget to take the melting tablet, you can still do it later in the day. Never take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablet;
- If you have not taken this medicine for more than 7 days, consult a doctor before you want to start taking Acarizax again;
- A treatment with Acarizax should be prescribed by a doctor who has sufficient experience in treating allergic conditions.
The activity of 1 lyophilisate (orally disintegrating tablet) is 12 SQ-HDM. The recommended dosage is as follows:
- Adults (up to 65 years) and teenagers from 12 years: once a day 1 orally disintegrating tablet.
Never take more than 1 dose per day. This medicine is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. In the leaflet, you will find more information about the use and dosage of Acarizax.
When using this product, side effects may sometimes occur. These include the following complaints:
- Irritation and/or itching in the mouth and/or throat;
- Swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat;
- Itching in the eyes, ears, tongue, or lips;
- Respiratory infections;
- Tingling sensation or numbness in the mouth or tongue;
- Pain and/or difficulty swallowing;
- Changing taste;
- Stomach and/or bowel complaints;
- Fatigue;
- Skin rash, sometimes with itchy bumps.
Any side effects usually occur shortly after taking the tablet and can last from a few minutes to hours. After a few months, you will probably experience these side effects less or not at all.
Consult a doctor if you are greatly affected by the side effects. Seek immediate medical help if you experience a severe allergic reaction after taking the tablet. Consult with a doctor if you continually suffer from heartburn.
You can find more information about the possible side effects of Acarizax in the leaflet.
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. Do not take the orodispersible tablets if you:
- Are hypersensitive to any of the excipients in the tablet (see leaflet for a list of components);
- Have poor lung function;
- Suffer from severe asthma that has worsened over the past three months;
- Suffer from asthma and, at the time you want to start with Acarizax, are suffering from a respiratory infection. The treatment will then be postponed;
- Suffer from a condition that affects resistance or take medicines that suppress resistance;
- Have cancer;
- Are suffering from inflammations or mouth sores, if you have recently had a tooth or molar extracted or if you have wounds in the oral cavity due to surgery. The treatment is then postponed until the mouth is completely healthy again.
You must be especially careful with this medicine under the following circumstances:
- You have a fish allergy;
- You have previously had a severe allergic reaction to an injection with house dust mite allergen extract;
- You suffer from severe allergic reactions. Stop the treatment and contact a doctor if you start to suffer from symptoms such as a feeling of fullness in the throat, difficulty swallowing or low blood pressure;
- You have asthma. Continue to use your asthma medication as usual while being treated with Acarizax. Stop the treatment and consult a doctor immediately if your asthma symptoms increase.
Consult a doctor if any of the above situations apply to you.
If you are pregnant, do not start a treatment with Acarizax. If you become pregnant during the treatment, consult a doctor about continuing the use of this product. Also, discuss with a doctor the use of Acarizax if you are breastfeeding or plan to.
More information on these topics can be found in the leaflet.
Some medicines can affect each other's functioning. As a result, the medicines work too strongly or too weakly. Acarizax interacts with, among other medicines, the following:
- Beta-blockers (medicines used for heart and vascular diseases);
- Certain anti-allergy medicines;
- Medicines based on a corticosteroid (adrenal cortex hormone);
- Certain antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants);
- COMT inhibitors (medicines used for Parkinson's disease).
If you use one or more of these medicines, discuss with a doctor whether and how you can start a treatment with Acarizax in addition.
You can buy Acarizax at a pharmacy. This medicine is not available at a chemist's.
This desensitisation agent is prescription-only. Therefore, it is not possible to buy Acarizax without a prescription. A registered doctor can prescribe this medication.
Medicines Evaluation Board. (2018, 1 November). Package Leaflet ACARIZAX 12 SQ-HDM, lyophilisate for oral use | Medicines Information Bank. Consulted on 6 May 2020, from https://www.geneesmiddeleninformatiebank.nl/ords/f?p=111:3::SEARCH:NO::P0_DOMAIN,P0_LANG,P3_RVG1:H,NL,118889
KNMP. (18AD, 19 December). Acarizax - Apotheek.nl. Consulted on 6 May 2020, from https://www.apotheek.nl/medicijnen/desensibilisatiedruppels-en-tabletten?product=acarizax#!
Máxima MC. (n.d.). House dust mite allergy. Consulted on 6 May 2020, from https://www.mmc.nl/allergologie/aandoeningen-en-behandelingen/huisstofmijtallergie/
National Healthcare Institute. (n.d.). House Dust Mite Allergen Extract (sublingual) - Pharmacotherapeutic Compass. Consulted on 6 May 2020, from https://www.farmacotherapeutischkompas.nl/bladeren/preparaatteksten/a/allergeenextract_huisstofmijt__sublinguaal_#samenstelling