Apr 19, 2014 10:52 AM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved Ragwitek, an allergen extract, to treat short ragweed pollen induced allergic rhinitis or hay fever, the Utah People's Post reported.

Merck & Co's pollen allergy drug is the first allergen extract to be administered under the tongue. It is to be used by people between the ages of 18 and 65 years, the Utah People's Post reported.

Allergies affect approximately 40 to 50 million people in the United States. Short ragweed pollen is one of the most common seasonal allergen during late summer in the country. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to the pollen include runny nose, repetitive sneezing, nasal itching and congestion along with itchy eyes. Ragwitek and other allergy medications can minimize allergic reactions with the pollen.

"The approval of Ragwitek offers millions of adults living with ragweed pollen allergies in the United States an alternative to allergy shots to help manage their disease," Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a press release.

The safety of Ragwitek was determined after an evaluation of approximately 1,700 adults in clinical studies. Patients who were taking Ragwitek during ragweed pollen season experienced a 26 percent reduction in allergy symptoms compared to those who received a placebo, The Utah People's Post reported.

The most common side effects of Ragwitek are itching in the mouth and ears and throat irritation.

The under-the-tongue medicine contains an extract from short ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen. One tablet of Ragwitek is taken daily by placing it under the tongue, which gets later dissolved.

People undergoing the treatment should begin taking Ragwitek 12 weeks before the onset of ragweed pollen season and continue it throughout the season. However, FDA officials said first time users should take the drug under supervision.

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