The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions based oncarrageenan as an active ingredient, for useas a medicament in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of allergicconditions or diseases, with the proviso that the car-rageenancomprises iota- and/or kappa-carrageenan and is substantially free of lambdacarrageenan. Typically, the invention re-latesto liquid formulations, gels and dry powder compositions comprising iota-and/or kappa-carrageenan and, optionally, one ormore non-carrageenan therapeutic agents for administration to the respiratorytract, the gastrointestinal tract or the eyes. The com-positionsof the invention have been found to be efficacious in the prevention andtreatment of type I allergies and additionally,may exert an adjuvant function upon combined mucosal administration with non-carrageenan therapeutic agents.
