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Desensitisation Treatment (EPD)

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Enzyme potentiated desensitisation (EPD) is a medical treatment which utilizes an intradermal injection of low dose allergens to desensitise or ‘switch off’ an allergy. In the past, high dose allergen injections were used for hay fever and other allergies, but this method went out of fashion due to the risk of anaphylaxis, a very serious allergic reaction. In contrast, EPD utilises very small doses of mixed allergens, together with the enzyme beta glucuronidase, which acts as a biological response modifier. Beta glucuronidase is found in every cell in the human body, and the dose used is equivalent to that which would be found in about 1ml of human blood (although a mollusc source is used). The small doses of allergens used in EPD mean that it is very safe. An American study of EPD in 10372 patients found no major adverse effects (Shrader et al 2001).

Because EPD uses low dose mixtures of allergens, it is possible to desensitise someone to many allergens at the same time. This also means that one does not have to identify every allergy in order to treat it, which is particularly useful since no allergy test is 100% reliable. EPD can be used to desensitise a patient to a wide range of foods, inhalants (including pollens, dust mites), insects, yeast, candida and bacteria. For simple hay fever/dust mite allergy an inhalants only mixture may be used; for other conditions, a mixture of inhalants and foods/insects/yeasts/candida/bacteria may be used. In addition, a terpene mix can also be added for patients sensitive to perfumes, colophony, tobacco and turpentine.

EPD can be used in the following conditions:

It is also sometimes used for patients with Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, psoriatic arthropathy, epilepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Prior to EPD treatment, patients have a medical consultation at the Centre, to ensure that the treatment is suitable, and that the necessary treatment information and preparation is understood. EPD assessment, treatment and follow up is considered to be part of the Balanced Medicine whole health approach offered by the centre.

For about 3 weeks after the EPD treatment, allergen exposure needs to be kept low, both to increase the success of the treatment and to avoid the theoretical potential for creating further sensitivities. You will therefore be advised on dietary and other changes you need to undertake during the treatment period. Some drugs interfere with or even block EPD, so your usual treatment may need to be modified. Likewise, some things enhance EPD, so a patient’s programme is individualised so as to maximise their chances of responding to the treatment. We always correspond with your GP about the treatment given at our Centre.

EPD is much more widely known and used in the USA, Germany and Italy, and much data has been collected on its safety and effectiveness. It was first developed in 1966 by Dr Len McEwen at St Mary’s Hospital, London. Since then more than 300,000 doses have been given. The Science of EPD page further outlines the evidence base for EDP treatment and has downloadable and linked scientific reviews.

References

Shrader, W. et al, 2001. The American EPD study: 1992-2000. White Paper for United States Senators and Representatives, September 2001.

 

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