Dustin is a house dust mite. You may have heard of house dust mites like him before—but did you know that they can cause allergic rhinitis? If you’re allergic, they can even make your other allergy symptoms worse.

You might even feel like you have allergies all year.

MEET DUSTIN, A HOUSE DUST MITE

"Small but mite-y."

  • Full Name: Dustin Mite
  • Height: 0.1-0.5 mm
  • Favorite Hangout: Sheets, pillows, carpeting…anywhere cozy, really!
  • Favorite Snack: Skin flakes from my landlords
  • Favorite Hobbies: Listening to sneezing, counting used tissues, outstaying my welcome, hanging out with friends and family

0 miles away

Nearly 50% of people with allergic rhinitis are allergic to house dust mites

What are the symptoms of house dust mite allergy?

A house dust mite allergy isn’t often obvious. You might think your seasonal allergies are acting up—or, you might think it’s just a cold. However, your symptoms could be because of house dust mites. Here are some common ones:

Sneezing/Runny and/or stuffy nose

Itchy and/or
watery eyes

What are  house dust mites, anyway?

A house dust mite, like our friend Dustin, is a tiny bug-like creature that is too small to be seen. He eats the flakes of skin that are constantly shed by people and pets.

One of the worst things about Dustin? He doesn’t work alone. Hundreds of thousands of house dust mites can live on soft surfaces all over your home (actually, anywhere indoors). They are very hard to get rid of—even the cleanest homes have house dust mites. Dustin and his friends love:

  • Your bed: The mattress, your sheets, the comforter, the pillows…all hotspots for Dustin and his pals
  • Your furniture: The couch, that old comfy recliner, the oversized fabric ottoman—anything upholstered is up for dust mite’s delight
  • Your closet: The clothes hanging up provide fashionable hangouts for Dustin’s crew
  • Your décor: Carpeting and curtains are some of house dust mites’ favorite design choices

House dust mites can cause you to have symptoms even after they die. But, don’t feel too bad for Dustin. He’s the one who could be causing your allergy symptoms, after all.

House dust mites have no off season

If you feel like you deal with allergy symptoms all year, it might be because you’re allergic to house dust mites.

When it’s cold outside, we tend to spend more time indoors—where house dust mites live. And when we turn our heat on, house dust mites and their waste move around the house, causing more exposure—and symptoms. In fact, house dust mite allergy is often mistaken for a cold in the fall and winter.

Unfortunately, house dust mites don’t stop being a problem when the weather gets warmer. They thrive even more in humid environments. And if you’re allergic to outdoor allergens, like tree or ragweed pollen, it can add on to your house dust mite allergy and make your symptoms worse.

EXPLORE YOUR SYMPTOMS

Should I be worried about house dust mites like Dustin?

House dust mites don’t bite, sting, or carry any diseases. But that doesn’t mean that Dustin (or his buddies) are totally harmless.

If you’re allergic to house dust mites, they can cause your immune system to overreact, causing allergy symptoms. Because you’re around house dust mites whenever you’re indoors, they can make you feel unwell a lot of the time.That means you can end up feeling like you have allergies all year.

The good news is ODACTRA can help keep your immune system from overreacting to house dust mites.

DISCOVER HOW ODACTRA CAN HELP

TAKE ON DUSTIN

Learn how ODACTRA can help you take on house dust mite allergy

HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M ALLERGIC TO HOUSE DUST MITES?

Learn how doctors can help identify what you're allergic to.

What is ODACTRA?

ODACTRA is a prescription medicine used for sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy to treat house dust mite allergies that can cause sneezing, runny or itchy nose, stuffy or congested nose, or itchy and watery eyes. ODACTRA may be prescribed for persons 5 through 65 years of age who are allergic to house dust mites. ODACTRA is NOT a medication that gives immediate relief for symptoms of house dust mite allergy.

Selected Important Safety Information about ODACTRA

What is the most important information I should know about ODACTRA?
  • ODACTRA can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. If any of these symptoms occur, stop taking ODACTRA and immediately seek medical care:
    • Trouble breathing
    • Throat tightness or swelling
    • Trouble swallowing or speaking
    • Dizziness or fainting
    • Rapid or weak heartbeat
    • Severe stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
    • Severe flushing or itching of the skin
  • For home administration of ODACTRA, your doctor will prescribe epinephrine, a medicine you can use if you or your child has a severe allergic reaction after taking ODACTRA. Your doctor will train and instruct you on the proper use of epinephrine.
  • If you or your child forgets to take ODACTRA, do not take two tablets. Take the next tablet at your normal scheduled time the next day. If you or your child misses more than one dose of ODACTRA, contact your healthcare provider before restarting.
  • Do not take ODACTRA if you or your child:
    • has severe, unstable or uncontrolled asthma
    • had a severe allergic reaction in the past that included any these symptoms: trouble breathing, dizziness or fainting, rapid or weak heartbeat
    • has ever had difficulty with breathing due to swelling of the throat or upper airway after using any sublingual immunotherapy before
    • has ever been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis
    • is allergic to any of the inactive ingredients contained in ODACTRA. The inactive ingredients contained in ODACTRA are: gelatin, mannitol, and sodium hydroxide.
  • Your doctor may decide that ODACTRA is not the best treatment if you or your child:
    • has asthma, depending on how severe it is
    • suffers from lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    • suffers from heart disease such as coronary artery disease, an irregular heart rhythm, or you have hypertension that is not well controlled
    • is pregnant, plans to become pregnant during the time you will be taking ODACTRA, or is breast-feeding
    • is unable or unwilling to administer epinephrine to treat a severe allergic reaction to ODACTRA
    • is taking certain medicines that enhance the likelihood of a severe reaction, or interfere with the treatment of a severe reaction. These medicines include:
      • Beta blockers and alpha-blockers (prescribed for high blood pressure)
      • Cardiac glycosides (prescribed for heart failure or problems with heart rhythm)
      • Diuretics (prescribed for heart conditions and high blood pressure)
      • Ergot alkaloids (prescribed for migraine headache)
      • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants (prescribed for depression)
      • Thyroid hormone (prescribed for low thyroid activity)
  • is receiving allergy shots or other immunotherapy under the tongue. Use of more than one of these types of medicines together may increase the likelihood of a severe allergic reaction
  • Stop taking ODACTRA and contact your doctor if you or your child has any mouth surgery procedures (such as tooth removal), develops any mouth infections, ulcers or cuts in the mouth or throat, or has heartburn, difficulty swallowing, pain with swallowing, chest pain that does not go away or worsens, asthma or any other breathing condition that gets worse, or any type of serious allergic reaction.
  • The most commonly reported side effects were throat irritation/tickle, itching in the mouth or ears, swelling of the back of the mouth, lips or tongue, tongue pain, nausea, throat swelling, stomach pain, tongue ulcer/sore on the tongue, and mouth ulcer/sore in the mouth, diarrhea, vomiting, and food tastes different. These side effects, by themselves, were not dangerous or life-threatening. Typically, these common side effects begin within the first week of starting ODACTRA and may reoccur for up to two weeks. These common side effects experienced after taking the first tablet typically last up to one hour.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information.

This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor or healthcare professional. Be sure to talk to your doctor about ODACTRA and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if ODACTRA is right for you.
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Selected Important Safety Information about ODACTRA

What is the most important information I should know about ODACTRA?
ODACTRA can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. If any of these symptoms occur, stop taking ODACTRA and immediately seek medical care:
  • Trouble breathing

What is ODACTRA?

ODACTRA is a prescription medicine used for sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy to treat house dust mite allergies that can cause sneezing, runny or itchy nose, stuffy or congested nose, or itchy and watery eyes. ODACTRA may be prescribed for persons 5 through 65 years of age who are allergic to house dust mites. ODACTRA is NOT a medication that gives immediate relief for symptoms of house dust mite allergy.

Selected Important Safety Information about ODACTRA

What is the most important information I should know about ODACTRA?
  • ODACTRA can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. If any of these symptoms occur, stop taking ODACTRA and immediately seek medical care:
    • Trouble breathing
    • Throat tightness or swelling
    • Trouble swallowing or speaking
    • Dizziness or fainting
    • Rapid or weak heartbeat
    • Severe stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
    • Severe flushing or itching of the skin
  • For home administration of ODACTRA, your doctor will prescribe epinephrine, a medicine you can use if you or your child has a severe allergic reaction after taking ODACTRA. Your doctor will train and instruct you on the proper use of epinephrine.
  • If you or your child forgets to take ODACTRA, do not take two tablets. Take the next tablet at your normal scheduled time the next day. If you or your child misses more than one dose of ODACTRA, contact your healthcare provider before restarting.
  • Do not take ODACTRA if you or your child:
    • has severe, unstable or uncontrolled asthma
    • had a severe allergic reaction in the past that included any these symptoms: trouble breathing, dizziness or fainting, rapid or weak heartbeat
    • has ever had difficulty with breathing due to swelling of the throat or upper airway after using any sublingual immunotherapy before
    • has ever been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis
    • is allergic to any of the inactive ingredients contained in ODACTRA. The inactive ingredients contained in ODACTRA are: gelatin, mannitol, and sodium hydroxide.
  • Your doctor may decide that ODACTRA is not the best treatment if you or your child:
    • has asthma, depending on how severe it is
    • suffers from lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    • suffers from heart disease such as coronary artery disease, an irregular heart rhythm, or you have hypertension that is not well controlled
    • is pregnant, plans to become pregnant during the time you will be taking ODACTRA, or is breast-feeding
    • is unable or unwilling to administer epinephrine to treat a severe allergic reaction to ODACTRA
    • is taking certain medicines that enhance the likelihood of a severe reaction, or interfere with the treatment of a severe reaction. These medicines include:
      • Beta blockers and alpha-blockers (prescribed for high blood pressure)
      • Cardiac glycosides (prescribed for heart failure or problems with heart rhythm)
      • Diuretics (prescribed for heart conditions and high blood pressure)
      • Ergot alkaloids (prescribed for migraine headache)
      • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants (prescribed for depression)
      • Thyroid hormone (prescribed for low thyroid activity)
  • is receiving allergy shots or other immunotherapy under the tongue. Use of more than one of these types of medicines together may increase the likelihood of a severe allergic reaction
  • Stop taking ODACTRA and contact your doctor if you or your child has any mouth surgery procedures (such as tooth removal), develops any mouth infections, ulcers or cuts in the mouth or throat, or has heartburn, difficulty swallowing, pain with swallowing, chest pain that does not go away or worsens, asthma or any other breathing condition that gets worse, or any type of serious allergic reaction.
  • The most commonly reported side effects were throat irritation/tickle, itching in the mouth or ears, swelling of the back of the mouth, lips or tongue, tongue pain, nausea, throat swelling, stomach pain, tongue ulcer/sore on the tongue, and mouth ulcer/sore in the mouth, diarrhea, vomiting, and food tastes different. These side effects, by themselves, were not dangerous or life-threatening. Typically, these common side effects begin within the first week of starting ODACTRA and may reoccur for up to two weeks. These common side effects experienced after taking the first tablet typically last up to one hour.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information.

This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor or healthcare professional. Be sure to talk to your doctor about ODACTRA and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if ODACTRA is right for you.