Allergy

BELTSVILLE, Md. — A U.S. Department of Agriculture study published in March in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that ragweed season is almost 16 days longer than it was in 1995 due to changes in the first frost line of the fall in North America. The first frost steadily has been creeping northward and later into the year, lead researcher Lewis Ziska wrote.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands on Wednesday announced the launch of a new one-dose-per-day allergy medicine: PediaCare 24-Hour Allergy.

"We listened to what the moms were looking for: a safe and effective allergy product for their children, ages 2 years and up, that works, has only one dose per day and tastes good," stated Sherry Polevoy, PediaCare senior brand manager. "Parents don't have to worry about redosing during the day, it's dye-free and it's a flavor that kids love: grape."

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In a sneeze heard around the world, allergy season is afoot, but the country’s retail pharmacies are on call to help the estimated 60 million Americans whose sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and congestion will drive them to wit’s end this year.

SAN FRANCISCO — Less than 20% of surveyed patients with nasal allergies find their symptoms are completely controlled over a one-week period of treatment, according to a survey performed by drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — This weekend, Sam's Club is offering free allergy health screenings in select locations across the country.

Sam's Club said that its allergy tests, which are valued at $500, will screen participants for allergies to house and dust mites, cats, timothy grass, Bermuda grass, mountain cedar, short ragweed, alternaria (mold), milk, egg whites and wheat.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Tris Pharma for a drug to treat allergies in children ages 2 years and older, Tris said Wednesday.

Tris said that if approved, its carbinoxamine extended-release oral suspension would provide an alternative to currently available immediate-release formulations.

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — Pollen.com and Weather Trends International last month teamed together on a new forecast tool for allergy sufferers: a 28-day weather forecast by zip code to help people with allergies better plan when pollen levels are likely to be high in their area.

PARIS — Allegra is less than a week away from reaching shelves on March 4, and with the latest allergy switch will come a significant number of Rx allergy sufferers this summer.