Allergy

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — McNeil Consumer Healthcare on Wednesday introduced a new form to the Zyrtec portfolio of allergy-relief products — an oral, dissolvable tablet. Delivering the same effective 24-hour relief, Zyrtec Dissolve Tabs are now available at all major retailers and pharmacies.

Zyrtec, the best-selling brand within the cold-allergy-sinus tablet category, generated $317.3 million for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 29, up 1.8% across total U.S. multi-outlet, according to IRI data. 

BENTONVILLE, ARK. — On March 8, Sam's Club will host free allergy and health screenings to members and visitors at Sam’s Club locations with a pharmacy — 584 locations — to ease management of allergies this season, the club operator announced Wednesday.

Retailers were preparing for the imminent launch of Chattem’s Nasacort Allergy 24HR nasal spray (triamcinolone intranasal) last month, clearing out quite a bit of shelf space for the new allergy remedy.

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)

OMAHA, Neb. — A study by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center found that vitamin D as an add-on therapy could provide some relief for chronic hives, a condition with no cure and few treatment options.

Jill Poole, associate professor in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, was principal investigator of a study in the Feb. 7 edition of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The two-year study looked at the role of over-the-counter vitamin D3 as a supplemental treatment for chronic hives.

SLOUGH, England — Reckitt Benckiser has line extended its Mucinex franchise into the year-round allergy sector with Mucinex Allergy, Heather Allen, Reckitt Benckiser EVP category development, told analysts Wednesday. 

"Super fantastic launch in the U.S.," she said. "Allergy is a $2.5 billion market in the U.S. More than 75% of Mucinex users also take an allergy treatment, and now, we're able to offer them Mucinex Allergy, maximum strength, non-drowsy antihistamine, acts fast and lasts for 24 hours."

The January/February 2014 Vitamins and Supplements Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Vitamints Immune, Centrum Specialist Immune Support, Alive! Children's Multi-Vitamin Gummy, Natrol's Melatonin, VitaMelts Multi, TruBiotics, Align and Culturelle Digestive Health Capsules.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration will hold a public meeting of the Allergenic Products Advisory Committee on Tuesday to determine the safety and efficacy of Ragwitek, a short ragweed pollen allergen extract tablet for sublingual use, which is manufactured by Merck and indicated for immunotherapy for diagnosed ragweed pollen induced allergic rhinitis, with or without conjunctivitis.

PITTSBURGH — Four school districts have won a competition sponsored by Mylan to raise awareness about dangerous allergic reactions, the company said Wednesday.

Mylan, whose Mylan Specialty division makes the EpiPen injector pen for severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, announced the winners of the Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness competition, for which it hired actress Julie Bowen as a celebrity spokeswoman.