Morgan Parmet holds a bag of peanuts in Washington. File photo/AP

Government experts on Friday backed an experimental treatment for children with peanut allergies that could become the first federally approved option for preventing life-threatening reactions.

The treatment is daily capsules of peanut powder that gradually help children build up a tolerance.

The outside panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted overwhelmingly in favour of the treatment from Aimmune Therapeutics. The nonbinding vote amounts to an endorsement for approval.

The FDA is expected to make its final decision by January.

The panellists said the medication was an important option for parents and children dealing with peanut allergies. However, several also said they had concerns because the pill has to be taken continuously to maintain its effect.

An estimated 1.6 million children and teenagers in the U.S. would be eligible for the medication, to be sold as Palforzia, which is intended for ages 4 to 17.

Peanut allergy is the most common food allergy in the country and the standard treatment involves strictly monitoring what children eat. That approach doesn't always work and accidental exposure is common, sending 1 in 4 children with peanut allergies to the emergency room every year.

Parents at Friday's meeting urged approval of the drug, describing the anxiety of watching their children's diet and daily routine, even avoiding public places and transportation because of possible peanut residues.

"These are constant and real fears with extreme consequences," said Cathy Heald of Dallas, whose 12-year-old son Charlie took part in a study of the treatment.

Heald said her son's improved tolerance allowed him to travel overseas by himself for the first time.

"The peace of mind this treatment brings is invaluable" said Hill, whose trip to the meeting was paid by Aimmune.

After one year, about 66% of study participants who took the pills could tolerate the equivalent of three to four peanuts, compared to just 4% of patients who received a dummy treatment. At the beginning of the study, most participants could not tolerate even a minuscule amount of peanuts.

Aimmune is pursuing other treatments for common food allergies, including eggs. The company does not yet have any products on the market.

Associated Press