In recent years, sublingual 
immunotherapy has gained momentum and recognition as a viable alternative to subcutaneous injection for both allergic adults and children. More U.S. physicians are referring or offering sublingual immunotherapy for their patients. However, not all forms of sublingual immunotherapy are alike. At Allergychoices, we advocate the La Crosse Method™ Practice Protocol because it offers a comprehensive, safe and effective approach to treat the broadest range of allergic patients. This is enhanced with our vast clinical experience in providing sublingual immunotherapy — more than 40 years of clinical application in treating 135,000 patients, in addition to our understanding of the available research literature. We have helped train hundreds of physicians and practices from around the country using this approach.
One of the biggest hurdles to widespread adoption has been the variability of sublingual immunotherapy dosing. Clinical trials have reported dosing ranges from .017 to 500 times the amount given in allergy shots, yet both positive and negative results have been reported. The La Crosse Method addresses these issues. We believe the treatment should be tailored for the patient. There is no universal optimal dose that applies to all patients. Each patient's treatment includes only the allergens they have tested positive for, and dosing is based off of skin and/or blood test results.
Our philosophy is that by treating patients with a precise therapeutic dose based on their test results, we can eliminate the risks of unnecessarily high doses that can needlessly trigger reactions, and avoid unnecessarily high doses that can drive up patient expense. In addition, research shows that dose frequency may be as important, or more important, to patient success than the dose amount. A hallmark of the La Crosse Method lies in the three times a day dosing — every day — that provides constant stimulation of the key cells that are critical to building tolerance.
The La Crosse Method also offers the simplicity of consistent patient instructions throughout treatment — patients are not sent home with complex or varying dosing instructions or multiple bottles for the same allergies. Patients are prescribed one vial for their specific environmental allergies and one vial for specific food and chemical allergies containing a 90-day treatment supply.
If you are interested in finding a physician that treats patients using the La Crosse Method protocol, visit our physician directory.