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How do you take Odactra?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on March 1, 2025.

Official answer

by Drugs.com
  1. With dry hands, remove the Odactra tablet from the blister pouch after removing the foil. Place the tablet under your tongue. The tablet dissolves within 10 seconds. Do not swallow for at least 1 minute. Do not take Odactra with food or beverages, and avoid any food or beverages for at least 5 minutes after each dose.
  2. Your first dose is taken under the supervision of a health care provider due to the possibility of severe allergic reactions. Odactra is used in patients 18 to 65 years of age.
  3. Odactra (house dust mite allergen extract) tablet is normally taken once-a-day, year-round. Odactra does not work immediately, so may not see results right away. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions exactly.

What does Odactra treat?

Odactra (house dust mite allergen extract) is an immunotherapy that treats allergies to dust mites. House dust mite allergies are a reaction to very small bugs found in house dust. Often, dusts mites can be found in bedding, furniture and carpet.

Symptoms of a house dust mite allergy include a cough, runny nose, nasal itch and congestion, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes.

Odactra is approved for use in individuals 5 through 65 years of age.

How does Odactra work?

Odactra contains allergen extract from common household dust mites. Allergy immunotherapies help to build your resistance over the long term to the allergen that causes your symptoms.

Using Odactra may also reduce the need for other allergy medicines to reduce your symptoms. These may include over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids.

What are the common side effects with Odactra?

In studies, the most commonly reported side effects (≥ 10%) with Odactra were:

  • in adults 18-65 years of age: throat irritation/tickle, itching in the mouth, itching in the ear, swelling of the uvula/back of the mouth, swelling of the lips, swelling of the tongue, tongue pain, nausea, throat swelling, stomach pain, tongue ulcer/sore on the tongue, mouth ulcer/sore in the mouth, and food tasting different.
  • in adolescents 12-17 years of age: throat irritation/tickle, itching in the mouth, itching in the ear, tongue pain, stomach pain, swelling of the uvula/back of the mouth, swelling of the lips, swelling of the tongue, throat swelling, nausea, tongue ulcer/sore on the tongue, and mouth ulcer/sore in the mouth, and diarrhea.
  • in children 5-11 years of age: itching in the mouth, throat irritation/tickle, itching in the ear, stomach pain, swelling of the lips, tongue pain, food tasting different, nausea, swelling in the back of the mouth, swelling of the tongue, and mouth ulcer.

Odactra also carries a Boxed Warning about serious allergic reactions and you may not be able to use this medicine if you have asthma or other conditions. View this Boxed Warning here and discuss this information with your doctor before treatment.

This is not all the information you need to know about Odactra (house dust mite allergen extract) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

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