FDA takes major step toward approving first peanut allergy treatment

The FDA is taking steps to approve a new drug, Palforzia, which is designed to minimize the severity of allergic reactions in people ages 4 to 17 with a peanut allergy. The FDA advisory committee voted in favor of the treatment and plans to make the final approval by January.

Palforzia will expose children to controlled doses of a peanut protein (powder mix) until the child has shown to reach a maintenance level. Daily exposure to the powder might help make the peanut allergy more manageable. The treatment can last six months or longer.

Some common side effects included abdominal discomfort, pain, coughing, hives, itching, nausea, throat irritation, and vomiting. Nine percent of children stopped treatment during the trial treatment due to severe allergic reactions.