Epd (enzyme potentiated desensitisation)
EPD (Enzyme Potentiated Desensitisation) was first used in the early 1960s by Doctor Leonard M. McEwen, a qualified medical doctor. He found that an injection containing a single dose of grass pollen with a very small amount of beta glucuronidase (an enzyme produced naturally by the body) could be more effective in treating hay fever than a long course of conventional desensitising injections or courses of antihistamines. The enzyme appears to potentiate the allergen allowing a much smaller, and therefore safer, dose to be used.
The treatment normally consists of a series of injections into the skin initially at two month intervals. It takes about four weeks before any effect is seen.
| EPD has been shown to be most effective for hayfever, food allergy and intolerance. It is also being investigated for the treatment of a wide range of conditions including asthma, rhinitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, urticaria, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine, chemical sensitivity, petit mal epilepsy, lupus, hyperactivity, ADD, ADHD, glue ear, neutropenia and psychological reactions such as depression and aggression. |  |
EPD is still considered experimental by some doctors and allergists. However, there is a solid evidence base to support the effectiveness of the treatment in hayfever and related conditions. A total of nine well constructed clinical trials involving 271 patients showed a statistically significant improvement in symptoms. With regard to safety, there have been no serious complications reported since it was first used.
Below is a list of EPD Practioners:
UK
Dr S Ahmed
Somerset Surgery, Hanley, Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire ST1 2BH
Telephone: 01782 212192
Fax: 01782 205078
Dr David Freed
14 Marston Road, Salford, Greater Manchester, Lancashire M7 4ER
Telephone: 0161 795 6225
Fax: 0161 795 6225
Dr Damien Downing
Galtres House, Lysander Close, Clifton Moorgate, York, N Yorkshire YO30 4XB
Telephone: 01904 691591
Fax: 01904 690588
Dr Shena Roper
Sheffield Clinic of Complementary Medicine, 378 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S Yorkshire S11 8PJ
Telephone: 0114 268 0236
Fax: 0114 267 9400
Dr Nicola Hembry
Greenway Community Practice, Greystoke Avenue, Bristol BS19 6AF
Telephone: 0117 969 2814
Fax: 0117 969 4253
Dr Chris Dawkins
The Breakspeare Clinic, Shipton Road, Milton Under Wychwood, Oxfordshire OX7 6JP
Telephone: 01993 830913
Fax: 01993 830086
Dr R Nicholson
Centre for Balanced Medicine, Western House, Fore Street, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 0HY
Telephone: 01626 854743
Fax: 01626 853927
Dr Apelles Econs
Thames Allergy Centre, Marlborough House, 68 High Street, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8BL
Telephone: 01932 820578
Fax: 01932 830145
Also At:
Airedale Allergy Centre, 41 Devonshire Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD21 2BH
Oxford Allergy Centre, Raleigh Park Clinic, Raleigh Park Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 9AR
Patients should contact Weybridge for all centres.
Dr Michael Radcliffe
Sarum Road Hospital, Sarum Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO22 5HA
Telephone: 01962 826127
Dr J N Thompson
39 Burroway Road, Langley, Berkshire SL1 2PX
Telephone: 01753 775545
Fax: 01753 775565
Dr Franziska Meuschel
The Diagnostic Clinic, 50 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 8TL
Telephone: 020 7009 4650
Fax: 020 7009 4671
Royal London Homeopathic Hospital (NHS)
60 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HR
Telephone: 0207 391 8888
Fax: 0207 391 8869
Doctors at RLHH currently using EPD:
Dr Saul Berkovitz
Dr S Z Haider
Dr Anton Van Rhijne
Dr Helmmut Roniger
Dr Andrea Weissner
EIRE AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Dr Joe FitzGibbon
Suite 31, The Galway Clinic, Doughiska, Galway, Ireland
Telephone: 00353 9172 0155
Fax: 00353 9172 0156
Also At:
Suite 21, The Hermitage Clinic, Old Lucan Road, Dublin 20, Ireland
Patients should contact Galway for both centres.
Dr Mary McDermott
300 Cregagh Road, Belfast BT6 9EW
Telephone: 028 9070 9300
Fax: 028 9070 9309
WALES
Dr Sarah Myhill
Upper Weston, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys LD7 1SL
Telephone: 01547 550331
Fax: 01547 550339
Information written by the talkhealth medical panel
Last Reviewed: 28 March 2011
Next Review Date: 28 October 2012
