What is the name of the allergy shot: Omalizumab (Xolair) and Allergy Shots For the Treatment of Seasonal Allergies – Full Text View

13.06.202311.06.2023 by alexxlab

Содержание

Allergy Shots: Could They Help Your Allergies?

Another name for allergy shots is allergen immunotherapy. It is a type of treatment that relieves symptoms for people who have chronic allergies. Allergy shots contain small amounts of the thing you are allergic to, called an allergen. The first shot you get has a low amount of the allergen. The dose increases with each shot. Over time, this process helps your body fight the allergen. Your immune system creates antibodies to block its effect. The result is your allergy symptoms become less severe.

Path to improved health

What kind of allergies can be treated with allergy shots?

Common allergens include mold and pollen from grasses, ragweed, and trees. You may be allergic to dust mites or an insect that stings, such as bees. Allergy shots also can relieve eye allergies or improve asthma symptoms.

Why should I get allergy shots?

Most people get allergy shots once they have tried other treatments that did not work. These can include avoiding allergens and taking medicine, such as an antihistamine.

Before starting allergy shots, your doctor will do an allergy test to determine the allergen. For a skin test, the doctor puts tiny amounts of allergens onto your skin using needles to see which ones you react to. For a blood test, the doctor may do a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) or ImmunoCAP test.

Can everyone get allergy shots?

Most people over the age of 5 can get allergy shots. You should not get them if you have severe asthma, heart problems, or take beta blockers. You also should not get them if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you have been taking allergy shots for some time and become pregnant. You may be able to keep taking them.

How many shots do I have to get?

Most people get 1 or 2 shots each week at first. After about 6 months of weekly shots, your doctor will decide when you can start maintenance treatment. These shots usually are given once a month, year-round. You probably will need maintenance shots for 3 to 5 years. If your symptoms are better, you may be able to stop having shots.

Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 months. You may need to try another form of treatment.

Things to consider

Allergy shots usually are safe. However, because they contain small amounts of an allergen, you may have an allergic reaction to the shot itself. In the beginning of this process, your doctor will have you stay at the office for about 20 to 30 minutes after your shot. This is in case you have a bad reaction. If you do, your doctor can give you something right away to stop it.

One common reaction is swelling at the place of the shot. Some people can have severe, shock-like reactions to an allergy shot. This type of reaction is called anaphylaxis. It is rare but very serious. If you get your shots on schedule (each week or month), you are less likely to have this kind of reaction.

One newer allergy treatment is sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tablets for some grass pollen, ragweed, and dust mite allergens. Talk to your doctor about the option.

Questions to ask your doctor

Should I get allergy shots?
How many shots do I need and how often?
How much do allergy shots cost?
What are the side effects of allergy shots?

Resources

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Allergy Shots

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Allergy shots: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

An allergy shot is a medicine that is injected into your body to treat allergy symptoms.

An allergy shot contains a small amount of an allergen. This is a substance that causes an allergic reaction. Examples of allergens include:

Mold spores
Dust mites
Animal dander
Pollen
Insect venom

A health care provider gives you the shots for 3 to 5 years. This series of allergy shots may help reduce your allergy symptoms.

Work with your provider to identify which allergens are causing your symptoms. This is often done through allergy skin testing or blood tests. Only the allergens you are allergic to are in your allergy shots.

Allergy shots are only one part of an allergy treatment plan. You may also take allergy medicines while having allergy shots. Your provider may recommend that you reduce your exposure to allergens, as well.

Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system tries to attack an allergen in your body. When this happens, your body creates mucus. This can cause bothersome symptoms in the nose, eyes, and lungs.

Treatment with allergy shots is also called immunotherapy. When a small amount of an allergen is injected into your body, your immune system makes a substance called an antibody that blocks the allergen from causing symptoms.

After several months of shots, some or all of your symptoms may be relieved. Relief can last several years. For some people, allergy shots can prevent new allergies and reduce asthma symptoms.

You may benefit from allergy shots if you have:

Asthma that allergies make worse
Allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis
Insect bite sensitivity
Eczema, a skin condition that a dust mite allergy can make worse

Allergy shots are effective for common allergens such as:

Weed, ragweed, tree pollen
Grass
Mold or fungus
Animal dander
Dust mites
Insect stings
Cockroaches

Adults (including the older people) as well as children 5 years and older can receive allergy shots.

Your provider is not likely to recommend allergy shots for you if you:

Have severe asthma.
Have a heart condition.
Take certain medicines, such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers.
Are pregnant. Pregnant women should not begin allergy shots. But, they may be able to continue allergy shot treatment that was started before they became pregnant.

Food allergies are not treated with allergy shots.

You will get your allergy shots at your provider’s office. They are usually given in the upper arm. The typical schedule is:

For the first 3 to 6 months, you receive shots about 1 to 3 times a week.
For the next 3 to 5 years, you receive the shots less often, about every 4 to 6 weeks.

Keep in mind that many visits are needed to get the full effects of this treatment. Your provider will assess your symptoms now and then to help decide when you can stop receiving the shots.

An allergy shot may cause a reaction on the skin, such as redness, swelling, and itching. Some people have mild nasal stuffiness or a runny nose.

Though rare, an allergy shot can also cause a severe life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Because of this, you may need to stay in your provider’s office for 30 minutes after your shot to check for this reaction.

You may also need to take an antihistamine or another medicine before your allergy shot appointments. This may prevent reactions to the shot at the injection site, but it does not prevent anaphylaxis.

Reactions to allergy shots can be treated in your provider’s office right away.

Contact your provider if you:

Continue to have symptoms after several months of allergy shots
Have questions or concerns about the allergy shots or your symptoms
Have trouble keeping appointments for your allergy shots

Allergy injections; Allergen immunotherapy

Dykewicz MS, Wallace DV, Amrol DJ, et al. Rhinitis 2020: A practice parameter update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;146(4):721-767. PMID: 32707227 pubmed. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32707227/.

Golden DBK. Insect allergy. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O’Hehis RE, et al, eds. Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 76.

Nelson HS. Injection immunotherapy for inhalant allergens. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O’Hehis RE, et al, eds. Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 85.

Updated by: Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Browse the Encyclopedia

price, contraindications, treatment reviews – NCC No. 2 (Central Clinical Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences), Moscow

Treatment of allergies is a long process and not always effective. Allergy gradually turns into a constant companion of a person, periodically worsening the quality of life and forcing them to take potent drugs.

Method ASIT (allergen-specific immunotherapy) consists of an individually developed list of measures for the long-term elimination of allergy manifestations. This is the only effective way to get control of allergic manifestations or completely get rid of reactions of this kind.

What is allergen-specific immunotherapy?

The treatment regimen involves the gradual administration of a provocative serum of a specific allergen to a person. A gradual increase in dosage causes the body to become addictive, thus removing the problem. The ASIT method is a derivative of vaccination and homeopathy, it was created according to a similar principle, taking as a basis the main points:

from the field of homeopathy – the principle of treating like with like: or relief lies in microdoses of an allergen that causes allergies in large quantities;
from vaccination – preparing the immune system to accept a foreign element: a low concentration of the allergen before the introduction of large doses is the key to successfully overcoming the problem.

The mechanism of action of the technique is a sequence of multicomponent reactions for the normalization of the immune response. The course of treatment sometimes lasts for months and even years, but after its completion a long respite is guaranteed, which can provide immunity to this allergen, in some cases forever.

Specific immunotherapy for allergies has proven effective in the treatment of rhinitis and conjunctivitis, asthma and dermatitis, reactions to insect stings when caused by allergic reactions.

What allergens are used?

Doses of the allergen are injected into the patient’s body, increasing with each injection.

Treatment precedes a complete examination of the patient to identify indications and contraindications.

The introduction of serum is carried out only under the supervision of specialists – in the conditions of specially prepared departments and rooms.

The extracts used are obtained from the poison of insects, fungi, cereals and weeds, house dust.

Allergy test results reveal an allergy vaccine causing the reaction.

If sensitivity to several allergens is detected, the course is carried out with several vaccines at once.

The patient is examined before the vaccine is given. After the injection, his condition is monitored for an hour.

The inoculation is given in the area of the shoulder, subcutaneously.

If necessary, if the patient’s condition is assessed as aggravated, and for the treatment of allergies according to an accelerated scheme (lasting up to 2 weeks), a course of ASIT is carried out in a hospital.

Treatment improves the condition of patients, alleviates the course of allergies and the prognosis. Timely use of the technique does not allow the transition of diseases from mild to severe forms.

Allergic rhinitis reduces the risk of developing bronchial asthma.

When reacting to insect venom, the likelihood of life-threatening situations is reduced.

As a rule, clinical improvement occurs after the second course of ASIT for allergies. The effect of the treatment persists for a long time.

Benefits of the method

With successful completion of the ASIT course, the frequency of allergy manifestations is significantly reduced, often to zero. Efficiency remains for several years.
The technique prevents polyvalent allergy.
The development of more severe forms of reactions is reduced.
The need for allergy medications decreases, sometimes disappears altogether for a while.

Opinions of doctors and reviews of patients who have undergone treatment coincide – in most cases, one course is not enough to obtain a stable result, although the severity of clinical symptoms decreases.

In general, the success of the technique is more than 90%.

How is the vaccine administered?

The purified allergen can be administered in different ways:

Injections are made under the skin of the forearm subcutaneously – the most common way;
the patient can drink the vaccine – oral;
drops or tablet may be placed under the tongue – sublingual;
when inhaled through an inhaler – inhalation method;
vaccine can be dripped into the nose – intranasal route.

Indications and contraindications

This procedure, like any other, has its indications. Not everyone with allergies can use it.

ASIT therapy is prescribed in the following cases:

For hay fever;
Severe reactions to animal hair and house dust;
Conjunctivitis due to allergies;
Bronchial asthma;
Urticaria;
For some food allergies;
When the patient is ready for treatment.

If pregnancy occurs during treatment, it is not necessary to interrupt the course, but treatment should not be started during pregnancy.

When can ASIT be used? An obstacle to the treatment of allergies by this method is:

Immunodeficiency;
Vascular and cardiac diseases;
Severe bronchial asthma;
Oncological pathology;
Use of beta-blockers;
Presence of infections and diseases in acute form;
Mental disorders.

Children under 5 years of age are also not indicated for the use of the technique.

Allergies may occur during treatment, but if all recommendations are followed and standardized vaccines are used, side effects are practically excluded. This method is currently the only recognized and proven safe treatment for allergies. The timeliness of the start of treatment has an impact on achieving a lasting effect.

Where to do ASIT?

Treatment can be carried out in Moscow, in a specialized allergological room NCC No. 2 (Central Clinical Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The scheme is selected individually after a complete examination. Depending on the type of allergy, it can be used year-round or seasonally. The cost of the course of treatment and the price of the vaccine are given in the price list. Answers to all questions of interest can be obtained by calling.

list of top 3 inexpensive and effective drugs for the long term according to the KP version with reviews and prices

Allergy shots for adults are administered to treat an acute condition, or when it is not possible to take a pill. As a rule, injections for allergies are administered intramuscularly. The main indications for injections are:

swelling of the mucous membranes;
reddened skin, itching and rash;
shortness of breath accompanied by flushing of the face;
paroxysmal cough, asthma;
sneezing, dry mucous membranes;
anaphylactic shock.

Important! All drugs have side effects and contraindications. Our material is an overview and does not serve as a guide to action. Before buying drugs, consult your doctor.

List of top 3 injections for allergies for adults according to the KP version

When choosing injections for allergies, you must first consult with your doctor. It should be remembered that the selection of the dosage should be carried out by a specialist – he selects therapy based on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and age of the patient.

All allergy injections can be divided into 3 main groups: adrenomimetics, antihistamines, glucocorticosteroid hormones.

Emergency agonists

This group includes epinephrine (adrenaline), which is available as a 0.1% solution. It stimulates adrenoreceptors in the tissues of the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles and internal organs. Under the action of the drug, the frequency and strength of heart contractions increase, blood pressure rises. At the same time, the smooth muscles of the bronchi and the gastrointestinal tract relax.

The drug helps relieve bronchospasm in bronchial asthma and restore the functioning of the cardiovascular system, which is disturbed during the development of anaphylactic shock ¹ .

Contraindications : individual intolerance, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, chronic heart failure grade 3-4, pheochromocytoma, atrial fibrillation and others. However, any contraindications are considered relative in emergency conditions that threaten a person’s life.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines – suprastin, diphenhydramine, clemastine, promethazine and others – block histamine receptors in the body and thereby reduce the activity of histamine, with the participation of which inflammatory and allergic reactions develop.

Antihistamines have anti-edematous and antipruritic effects, help relieve various allergy symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, skin itching, irritation of the eyes and nose.

Antihistamine injections are given to provide immediate relief and when the patient is unable to take the tablets or they do not work.

Antihistamine injections may be indicated for hay fever, urticaria, pruritic dermatoses, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis ² .

Contraindications : gastric ulcer in the acute phase, glaucoma, pregnancy, lactation, prostatic hyperplasia, epilepsy, bronchial asthma.

Many antihistamines have a sedative and somewhat hypnotic effect, and therefore are contraindicated for those who drive vehicles and complex mechanisms.

Glucocorticosteroids

Dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, betamethasone and other synthetic hormones have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects and are used in the treatment of a number of allergic diseases, including bronchial asthma, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, food and drug allergies.

They differ in duration of action. Short-acting drugs show their therapeutic effect within 24-36 hours. The effect of intermediate-acting GCS lasts up to 48 hours, and long-acting – more than 48 hours.

Their disadvantages include a large number of side effects. They can cause heart rhythm disturbances, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, obesity, hormonal disorders.

Contraindications : individual intolerance, severe renal and hepatic insufficiency. But there are many diseases and conditions in which GCS is prescribed with caution and used under the supervision of a physician. These are parasitic, viral and bacterial infections, gastrointestinal diseases, pregnancy and lactation.

How to choose allergy shots for adults

Allergy shots must be prescribed by a doctor. The expert selects the drug depending on the indications, clinical manifestations of allergies, the age of the patient.

— There are 2 types of treatment for allergic reactions. Firstly, these are drugs that stop the allergic inflammatory reaction. These include antihistamines of various generations. Secondly, these are hormonal-type drugs: hormones of immediate action and hormones of prolonged action, says family doctor, allergist, immunologist Valentin Shishkin .

Allergy shots from doctors

As our expert notes, all allergy shots are effective in their own way.

“You need to understand what kind of allergy a person has, and what drug is suitable in this particular case,” says Valentin Shishkin.