allergytalk

Understanding the FDA Warning on Cetirizine/Levocetirizine

Welcome to a special episode of AllergyTalk, a roundup of the latest in the field of Allergy and Immunology by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology!

On May 16, 2025, the FDA issued an alert regarding a rare but serious side effect of severe pruritus after discontinuing long-term use of cetirizine and levocetirizine. In this episode, we’ll discuss the background of this important announcement and what it means for our patients!

We are joined by Michael S. Blaiss, MD, clinical professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia and past-president and former Executive Medical Director of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. He has been a consultant for multiple companies manufacturing second generation antihistamines.

 

Resources:

FDA Drug Safety Communication on Cetirizine and Levocetirizine

ACAAI Advice on Speaking Points Regarding FDA Alert

 

Previous articles describing this side effect:

Unbearable Pruritus After Withdrawal of (Levo)cetirizine.

Pruritus after discontinuation of cetirizine.

Episode 52 - Is Treatment Refractory Wheezing a Sign of a Silent Viral infection?

Today we are joined by Dr. Sarah Spriet, a Staff Allergist and Clinical Immunologist at Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center in Northern Virginia. She is also a Core Faculty member for the National Capital Consortium Allergy-Immunology fellowship training program and an assistant editor of Allergy Watch. We will be reviewing the January/February 2025 issue of Allergy Watch, a bimonthly publication which provides research summaries to College members from the major journals in allergy and immunology.

 

For information about CME credit, head over to http://education.acaai.org/allergytalk

 

To read archived issues of AllergyWatch, head over to http://college.acaai.org/publications/allergywatch

 

Also, make sure you check out the ACAAI Community on DocMatter where we can continue the discussion about these articles!

 

Articles Reviewed:

A novel syndrome of silent rhinovirus-associated bronchoalveolitis in children with recurrent wheeze

Effects of moderate- versus vigorous-intensity exercise training on asthma outcomes in adults

Human Neutrophils Couple Nitric Oxide Production and Extracellular Trap Formation in Allergic Asthma

Please rate our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Please give us feedback, corrections, and suggestions!

Email feedback to: allergytalk@acaai.org

 

ACAAI is presenting this podcast for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. The College is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services or methods that might be referenced.

Episode 51 - Does Eosinophil Depletion Improve Eosinophilic Esophagitis?

Today we are joined by Dr. Iris Otani, an associate professor of medicine at UCSF and an assistant editor of Allergy Watch. We will be reviewing the November-December 2024 issue Allergy Watch, a bimonthly publication which provides research summaries to College members from the major journals in allergy and immunology.

 

For information about CME credit, head over to http://education.acaai.org/allergytalk

 

To read archived issues of AllergyWatch, head over to http://college.acaai.org/publications/allergywatch

Also, make sure you check out the ACAAI Community on DocMatter where we can continue the discussion about these articles!

 

Articles Reviewed:

Frequencies and predictors of subcutaneous and intraosseous injection with 4 epinephrine autoinjector devices.

Forecasting daily total pollen concentrations on a global scale.

Eosinophil Depletion with Benralizumab for Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

 

Please rate our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Please give us feedback, corrections, and suggestions!

Email feedback to: allergytalk@acaai.org

 

ACAAI is presenting this podcast for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. The College is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services or methods that might be referenced.

Episode 50 - Can Asthma Biologics Affect Vaccine Immunity?

Today we are joined by Dr. Iris Otani, an associate professor of medicine at UCSF and an assistant editor of Allergy Watch. We will be reviewing the November-December 2024 issue Allergy Watch, a bimonthly publication which provides research summaries to College members from the major journals in allergy and immunology. 

For information about CME credit, head over to http://education.acaai.org/allergytalk

To read archived issues of AllergyWatch, head over to http://college.acaai.org/publications/allergywatch

Also, make sure you check out the ACAAI Community on DocMatter where we can continue the discussion about these articles!

Articles Reviewed:

Effect of Azithromycin on Asthma Remission in Adults With Persistent Uncontrolled Asthma: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized, Double-Anonymized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Polyethylene glycol hypersensitivity, patient outcomes in a 7-year retrospective study.

Patients taking benralizumab, dupilumab, or mepolizumab have lower postvaccination SARS-CoV-2 immunity.

Please rate our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Please give us feedback, corrections, and suggestions!

Email feedback to: allergytalk@acaai.org

ACAAI is presenting this podcast for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. The College is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services or methods that might be referenced.

Episode 49 – The Mental Health Impact of Eczema and Food Allergies

Welcome to Season Three of AllergyTalk!

 

Today we are joined by Dr. Vivian Hernandez Trujillo, the Division Director of allergy/immunology at Nickalus Children’s Hospital and an assistant editor of Allergy Watch. We will be reviewing the July-August issue Allergy Watch, a bimonthly publication which provides research summaries to College members from the major journals in allergy and immunology.

 

For information about CME credit, head over to http://education.acaai.org/allergytalk

To read archived issues of AllergyWatch, head over to http://college.acaai.org/publications/allergywatch

 

Also, make sure you check out the ACAAI Community on DocMatter where we can continue the discussion about these articles!

 

Articles Reviewed:

The mental health burden of food allergies: Insights from patients and their caregivers from the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) Patient Registry. 

Stigmatization and Mental Health Impact of Chronic Pediatric Skin Disorders. 

Bronchoconstriction damages airway epithelia by crowding-induced excess cell extrusion.

Please rate our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Please give us feedback, corrections, and suggestions!

Email feedback to: allergytalk@acaai.org

 

ACAAI is presenting this podcast for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. The College is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services or methods that might be referenced.

 

Today’s speakers have the following disclosures:

Dr. Lee has been a speaker for Novartis

Dr. Fineman has nothing to disclose

Dr. Hernandez Trujillo:

• Advisory Board: Aimmune, ARS, Bryn, Bayer, Enzyvant, Pfizer, Sanofi & Regeneron, Takeda
• Consultant: Pharming, Kaleo
• Speaker: CSL, Takeda, Kaleo

Episode 48 - Can Blood Transfusions Trigger Food Allergy?

Welcome to Season Three of Allergytalk!

Today we are joined by Dr. Vivian Hernandez Trujillo, the Division Director of allergy/immunology at Nickalus Children’s Hospital and an assistant editor of Allergy Watch. We will be reviewing the July-August issue Allergy Watch, a bimonthly publication which provides research summaries to College members from the major journals in allergy and immunology. 

For information about CME credit, head over to http://education.acaai.org/allergytalk

To read archived issues of AllergyWatch, head over to http://college.acaai.org/publications/allergywatch

Also, make sure you check out the ACAAI Community on DocMatter where we can continue the discussion about these articles!

Articles Reviewed:

IgE to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) in childhood: Prevalence, risk factors, putative origins. 

Activation of basophils in children with food allergies by blood from donors ingesting the corresponding food.

Anti-Interleukin-23 Autoantibodies in Adult-Onset Immunodeficiency.

 

Please rate our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Please give us feedback, corrections, and suggestions!

Email feedback to: allergytalk@acaai.org

ACAAI is presenting this podcast for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. The College is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services or methods that might be referenced.

 

Today’s speakers have the following disclosures:

Dr. Lee has been a speaker for Novartis

Dr. Fineman has nothing to disclose

Dr. Hernandez Trujillo:

• Advisory Board: Aimmune, ARS, Bryn, Bayer, Enzyvant, Pfizer, Sanofi & Regeneron, Takeda
• Consultant/Speaker: Kaleo
• Consultant: Allergy & Asthma Network, Pharming
• Speaker: CSL, Takeda

 

Pediatric Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Diagnosis & Management: Challenges, Barriers, Strategies miniseries Episode 3 – Long-Term Management and Prophylaxis for HAE

Host: Kristin C. Sokol, MD, MS, MPH, FACAAI

Experts: Aleena Banerji, MD; Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD, FACAAI

 

Explore the strategies for long-term prophylaxis in pediatric HAE, including when to initiate treatment and the risks and benefits of various approaches. Transitioning care from childhood into adolescence and beyond is also discussed.

 

Learning Objective:

After listening to this podcast episode, participants should be better able to:

• Employ strategies for long-term prophylaxis.

References:

1. Allen Meadows, MD; John Anderson, MD; Richard G. Gower, MD. Challenges in the management of hereditary angioedema in urban and rural settings. Results of a United States survey. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 130 (2023) 760−767.
2. Riedl MA, Johnston DT, Anderson J, Meadows JA, Soteres D, LeBlanc SB, etal. Optimization of care for patients with hereditary angioedema living in rural areas. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.2022;128(5):526–533.
3. Busse PJ, Christiansen SC, Riedl MA, Banerji A, Bernstein JA, Castaldo AJ, et al. US HAEA Medical Advisory Board 2020 guidelines for the management of hereditary angioedema. JAllergyClinImmunolPract.2021;9(1):132–150.e3
4. Mauer M, Magerl M, Bethschel A, Aberer W, et al. The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema—The 2021 revision and update Allergy. 10 January 2022

 

Speaker Disclosures:

Kristin C. Sokol, MD, MS, MPH, FACAAI

Advisor: Sanofi, Genentech, SELF/Conde Nast

 

Aleena Banerji, MD

Advisor: Astria, Biocryst, CSL Behring, Ionis, Intellia, Kalvista, Pharvaris, Takeda

Researcher: Astria, Ionis, Intellia

 

Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD, FACAAI

Advisor: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Blueprint Medicine, Biocryst, BioMarin, Celldex, CSL Behring, DBV Technologies, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Ionis, Jasper and Escient Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Kalvista, Merck, Novartis, Pharming Group, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda

Consultant: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Blueprint Medicine, Biocryst, BioMarin, Celldex, CSL Behring, DBV Technologies, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Ionis, Jasper and Escient Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Kalvista, Merck, Novartis, Pharming Group, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda

Researcher: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Blueprint Medicine, Biocryst, BioMarin, Celldex, CSL Behring, DBV Technologies, Dermavant, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Ionis, Jasper and Escient Pharmaceuticals, Kalvista, Merck, Novartis, Pharming Group, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, Teva

 

This podcast miniseries is supported by a grant from Takeda.

Pediatric Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Diagnosis & Management: Challenges, Barriers, Strategies miniseries Episode 2 – Overcoming Barriers in HAE Treatment

Episode 2: Overcoming Barriers in HAE Treatment

 

Host: Kristin C. Sokol, MD, MS, MPH, FACAAI

Experts: Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD, FACAAI; Timothy J. Craig, DO, FACAAI

 

This episode addresses the challenges of managing HAE, including treatment differences in rural vs. urban settings, barriers to care, and the importance of shared decision-making for treatment plans. Discover effective strategies for on-demand home therapy administration.

 

Learning Objective:

After listening to this podcast episode, participants should be better able to:

• Create effective treatment plans for their specific population (minority, rural, urban)

 

References:

1. Allen Meadows, MD; John Anderson, MD; Richard G. Gower, MD. Challenges in the management of hereditary angioedema in urban and rural settings. Results of a United States survey. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 130 (2023) 760−767.
2. Riedl MA, Johnston DT, Anderson J, Meadows JA, Soteres D, LeBlanc SB, etal. Optimization of care for patients with hereditary angioedema living in rural areas. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.2022;128(5):526–533.
3. Busse PJ, Christiansen SC, Riedl MA, Banerji A, Bernstein JA, Castaldo AJ, et al. US HAEA Medical Advisory Board 2020 guidelines for the management of hereditary angioedema. JAllergyClinImmunolPract.2021;9(1):132–150.e3
4. Mauer M, Magerl M, Bethschel A, Aberer W, et al. The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema—The 2021 revision and update Allergy. 10 January 2022

 

Speaker Disclosures:

Kristin C. Sokol, MD, MS, MPH, FACAAI

Advisor: Sanofi, Genentech, SELF/Conde Nast

 

Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD, FACAAI

Advisor: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Blueprint Medicine, Biocryst, BioMarin, Celldex, CSL Behring, DBV Technologies, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Ionis, Jasper and Escient Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Kalvista, Merck, Novartis, Pharming Group, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda

Consultant: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Blueprint Medicine, Biocryst, BioMarin, Celldex, CSL Behring, DBV Technologies, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Ionis, Jasper and Escient Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Kalvista, Merck, Novartis, Pharming Group, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda

Researcher: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Blueprint Medicine, Biocryst, BioMarin, Celldex, CSL Behring, DBV Technologies, Dermavant, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Ionis, Jasper and Escient Pharmaceuticals, Kalvista, Merck, Novartis, Pharming Group, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, Teva

 

Timothy J. Craig, DO, FACAAI

Advisor: Biomarin, CSL Behring, Ionis, Kalvista, Takeda

Consultant: Biocryst, Biomarin, CSL Behring, Ionis, Kalvista, Ono, Takeda

Independent Contractor: Kalvista, Phavaris

Researcher: Astria, Biomarin, CSL Behring, GlaxoSmithKline, Ionis, Kalvista, Phavaris, Takeda

Speaker: Biomarin, CSL Behring, Kalvista, Regeneron, Takeda

 

This podcast miniseries is supported by a grant from Takeda.

Pediatric Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Diagnosis & Management: Challenges, Barriers, Strategies Miniseries Episode 1 – Diagnosing HAE Accurately

Host: Kristin C. Sokol, MD, MS, MPH, FACAAI

Experts: Aleena Banerji, MD; Timothy J. Craig, DO, FACAAI

This discussion covers the key factors in accurately diagnosing HAE, including clinical history, lab testing, and the role of genetic testing in distinguishing between HAE types. Special considerations for diagnosing pediatric patients will also be discussed.

Learning Objective:

After listening to this podcast episode, participants should be better able to:

• Diagnose pediatric HAE accurately

References:

1. Allen Meadows, MD; John Anderson, MD; Richard G. Gower, MD. Challenges in the management of hereditary angioedema in urban and rural settings. Results of a United States survey. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 130 (2023) 760−767.
2. Riedl MA, Johnston DT, Anderson J, Meadows JA, Soteres D, LeBlanc SB, etal. Optimization of care for patients with hereditary angioedema living in rural areas. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.2022;128(5):526–533.
3. Busse PJ, Christiansen SC, Riedl MA, Banerji A, Bernstein JA, Castaldo AJ, et al. US HAEA Medical Advisory Board 2020 guidelines for the management of hereditary angioedema. JAllergyClinImmunolPract.2021;9(1):132–150.e3
4. Mauer M, Magerl M, Bethschel A, Aberer W, et al. The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema—The 2021 revision and update Allergy. 10 January 2022

Speaker Disclosures:

Kristin C. Sokol, MD, MS, MPH, FACAAI

Advisor: Sanofi, Genentech, SELF/Conde Nast

 

Aleena Banerji, MD

Advisor: Astria, Biocryst, CSL Behring, Ionis, Intellia, Kalvista, Pharvaris, Takeda

Researcher: Astria, Ionis, Intellia

 

Timothy J. Craig, DO, FACAAI

Advisor: Biomarin, CSL Behring, Ionis, Kalvista, Takeda

Consultant: Biocryst, Biomarin, CSL Behring, Ionis, Kalvista, Ono, Takeda

Independent Contractor: Kalvista, Phavaris

Researcher: Astria, Biomarin, CSL Behring, GlaxoSmithKline, Ionis, Kalvista, Phavaris, Takeda

Speaker: Biomarin, CSL Behring, Kalvista, Regeneron, Takeda

 

This podcast miniseries is supported by a grant from Takeda.

Episode 47: Does Food Allergy Increase Cardiovascular Risk?

Welcome to another episode of Allergy Talk, a roundup of the latest in the field of Allergy and Immunology by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology!

For today’s episode we will be reviewing articles from Allergy Watch, a bimonthly publication which provides research summaries to College members from the major journals in allergy and immunology.

You can also earn CME credit by listening to this podcast! For information about CME credit, head over to education.acaai.org/allergytalk.

Also, make sure you check out the ACAAI Community on DocMatter where we can continue the discussion about these articles!

CRISPR Gene-Editing Therapy for Hereditary Angioedema

Reviewed by Samantha knox

CRISPR-Cas9 In Vivo Gene Editing of KLKB1 for Hereditary Angioedema.

Longhurst HJ, Lindsay K, Petersen RS, Fijen LM, Gurugama P, Maag D, Butler JS, Shah MY, Golden A, Xu Y, Boiselle C, Vogel JD, Abdelhady AM, Maitland ML, McKee MD, Seitzer J, Han BW, Soukamneuth S, Leonard J, Sepp-Lorenzino L, Clark ED, Lebwohl D, Cohn DM. CRISPR-Cas9 In Vivo Gene Editing of KLKB1 for Hereditary Angioedema. N Engl J Med. 2024 Feb 1;390(5):432-441. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2309149. PMID: 38294975.

New Peanut Allergy Rare After Peanut Introduction in Infants

Reviewed by Sarah Spriet

Rates of New Peanut Allergy and Discontinuation Following Introduction in High-Risk Infants

Banerjee A, Wood R, Dunlop J, Dantzer J, Plesa M, Togias A, Keet C. Rates of New Peanut Allergy and Discontinuation Following Introduction in High-Risk Infants. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024 Mar;12(3):645-651.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.11.035. Epub 2023 Nov 29. PMID: 38036248.

 

IgE to Food Allergens and Cardiovascular Mortality

Reviewed by Gerry Lee

IgE to common food allergens is associated with cardiovascular mortality in the National Health and Examination Survey and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Keet C, McGowan EC, Jacobs D, Post WS, Richards NE, Workman LJ, Platts-Mills TAE, Manichaikul A, Wilson JM. IgE to common food allergens is associated with cardiovascular mortality in the National Health and Examination Survey and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2024 Feb;153(2):471-478.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.09.038. Epub 2023 Nov 9. PMID: 37943208; PMCID: PMC10922097.

 

Please rate our podcast on Apple podcasts!

Please give us feedback, corrections, and suggestions!

Email feedback to: allergytalk@acaai.org

You can also earn CME credit by listening to this podcast! For information about CME credit head over to education.acaai.org/allergywatch. If you want to read archived issues of Allergy Watch, head over to https://college.acaai.org/publications/allergywatch

ACAAI is presenting this podcast for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. The College is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services or methods that might be referenced.

 

Today’s speakers have the following disclosures:

Dr. Lee has been a speaker for Novartis

Dr. Fineman has nothing to disclose

Dr. Chow has been an advisor for Sarepta Therapeutics (relationship has ended KA)