Ep. 258 Understanding Sublingual vs. Subcutaneous Immunotherapy with Dr. Nikhila Schroeder

When allergy meds aren’t enough, how do you choose the form of immunotherapy that will work best for your patient? Board-certified allergist-immunologist Dr. Nikhila Schroeder and host Dr. Basil Kahwash answer that question and more in this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Schroeder shares her path from an engineering background to becoming a board-certified pediatric and adult allergist-immunologist, offering insight into how that perspective shapes her approach to patient care. The discussion focuses on the nuances of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) versus subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), including administration, efficacy, safety, and patient adherence challenges. They also explore how immunotherapy can modulate the immune system and provide long-term symptom relief. Dr. Schroeder concludes by sharing her vision for the future of allergy immunotherapy, highlighting the accessibility and growing potential of SLIT. This episode offers ENT specialists a practical overview of why understanding and integrating allergy-immunotherapy can benefit both their practice and their patients. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction05:01 - History and Evolution of Immunotherapy10:36 - Mechanisms of Immunotherapy14:59 - Subcutaneous Immunotherapy: Process and Benefits19:52 - Sublingual Immunotherapy: Process and Benefits27:56 - Comparing Subcutaneous and Sublingual Immunotherapy34:14 - Efficacy Comparison: Allergy Shots vs. SLIT39:51 - Patient Adherence and Treatment Choices41:58 - Contraindications for Allergy Immunotherapy48:58 - Long-term Benefits of Immunotherapy59:26 - Key Takeaways for ENT Professionals --- RESOURCES Dr. Nikhila Schroeder https://allergenuityhealth.com/about-us/