For patients with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), management strategies require an avoidance of food and medicines containing alpha-gal, however, pharmaceutical companies are not required to disclose the presence of animal-derived ingredients (ADI) on the package insert, predisposing patients to undue risk.
In this study, researchers performed a process improvement analysis using the free alpha-gal focused national medical information center to assess the frequency and growth of AGS-related medication inquiries from the first two quarters (Q1 and Q2) of 2024. A count of commonly inquired medications was also performed.
Within the study, 1,534 unique inquiries comprising 2,106 medications were received from 746 individual patients. Researchers found an 81.9% growth in inquiries from 544 in Q1 to 990 in Q2. A total of 531 unique medications were inquired about with animal-free alternatives available 79.3% of the time. Overall, 6.1% of the inquiries were submitted from healthcare providers, and the top 5 medications inquired were famotidine, levothyroxine, vitamin D, cetirizine and amoxicillin. Hydrochlorothiazide, a medication without a commercially available animal-free alternative, was the most inquired medication.
Identifying animal-free medications is a substantial burden for patients with AGS. Increased provider awareness and ADI transparency for medications are essential to ensure patient safety. With 50% of AGS patients having suffered an anaphylaxis reaction due to ADIs in medications, understanding the patient’s burden and availability of suitable animal-free medications is essential for improved health outcomes for patients. Additional data, not available at the time the abstract was submitted, will be included in a poster displayed at the Joint Congress.
Visit aaaai.org to learn more about alpha-gal and red meat allergy. Research presented at the 2025 AAAAI / WAO Joint Congress, February 28 – March 3 in San Diego, CA, is published in an online supplement to The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI).
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is the leading membership organization of more than 7,100 allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists and other professionals with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases. Established in 1943, the AAAAI is the go-to resource for patients living with allergies, asthma and immune deficiency disorders.
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Candace Archie, The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, (414) 272-6071, [email protected], aaaai.org
SOURCE The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
