FDA approves 1st treatment for kids with peanut allergies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug treatment for kids with peanut allergies. 

Called Palforzia, the drug is a powder made from peanuts that is packaged in capsules. Palforzia works in three phases: The initial dose is consumed under the watch of a medical professional and the second phase includes higher doses that are taken 11 times over several months. If no reactions occur in the first two phases, children can then move onto the third and final phase in which they would take one dose daily. 

Children between the ages of 4 and 17 who have been diagnosed with a peanut allergy can start taking Palforzia, and those over the age of 17 can continue taking it. Although Palforzia can help lessen the intensity of reactions, the drug doesn’t permanently eliminate the allergy, so those who are allergic still have to avoid peanuts in their diets.