A Milestone for Allergy Care: NICE Approves Itulazax for Birch Pollen Allergy

This week marks a major milestone for allergy sufferers across the UK: NICE has officially recommended Itulazax, a sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet for people with moderate to severe birch tree pollen allergy. For many who struggle each spring despite antihistamines, nasal sprays, and other conventional treatments, this announcement signals a shift from symptom management to disease-modifying therapy.

Birch trees release pollen in early spring, typically between March and May in the UK

This news is especially exciting for both our team and our patients, as our mission at AllergyRhino has always been to help individuals discover personalised, long-term solutions which address the root cause of their allergic conditions.

🧰 Expanding the UK immunotherapy toolkit

We’re proud to be one of the few services in the UK actively helping patients access licensed immunotherapy treatments, and Itulazax joins a growing toolkit alongside options like Acarizax (for house dust mite) and, hopefully soon, Grazax (for grass pollen) which have been approved by NICE for use on the NHS.

🎙️ Expert insight from Professor Adam Fox

I’ll let our Clinical Director, Professor Adam Fox, explain just how meaningful this change could be:

“Some great news for the many hay fever sufferers who have tried everything but still have a miserable time in the Spring. Itulazax has been approved by NICE meaning that not only is it clinically effective but also represents good health economics.

Allergists have been saying this for years so it’s great that following the recent NICE approval of Acarizax (sublingual immunotherapy for house dust mite) we now have a tree pollen treatment.

Hopefully, NICE will soon approve Grazax for grass pollen. In theory this means that adults with severe hay fever should now get better access to this helpful treatment that treats the underlying cause of allergy to give long lasting benefits, through the NHS. We very much hope this means far more people can get the benefit of this treatment although we wait to see how different Integrated Care Boards ensure good patient access…”

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🎧 Tune in: Adam on BBC Radio 4

Here is Adam on Radio 4 talking about the therapy:

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🔄 A shift from suppression to immune retraining

This is a moment we’ve been waiting for. For the first time, patients with severe birch pollen allergy can expect NHS-backed access to a treatment that retrains the immune system, rather than just suppressing the reaction.

🧭 How we’re helping patients access treatment

We’re working closely with our pharmacy and clinical partners across the UK to help patients identify whether they’re suitable for Itulazax and to navigate the referral and treatment process - whether privately or, where available, through the NHS.

📞 Think you might benefit? Let’s talk.

If your spring symptoms are worsening year on year, or if over-the-counter treatments just aren’t cutting it, come and talk to us at AllergyRhino.

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🧑‍⚕️ Book an allergy assessment with our team 

🤧🌳💊 Let’s tackle your allergies at the root.