Epinephrine 1:1000 should be available.
When changing immunotherapy from an unstandardized to an AU/ml standardized allergenic extract, dose adjustment, if indicated, should be based on the comparative potency of the extracts. Patient re-evaluation may be necessary.
Injections should never be given intravenously. A 5/8 inch 25 gauge needle on a sterile syringe will allow deep subcutaneous injection. Precaution of withdrawing the plunger slightly after inserting the needle is advisable to determine if a blood vessel has been entered. Proper measurement of the dose and caution in making the injection will minimize reactions. Patients should be detained for twenty to thirty minutes after injection or advised to return to the office immediately if symptoms or reactions occur.
Sensitive patients may experience severe anaphylactic reactions resulting in respiratory obstruction, shock, coma and/or death.
There is currently no manufacturer warning information available for this drug.
When the natural exposure to elevated aeroallergens produces symptoms as described under Clinical Pharmacology, specific diagnosis and therapeutic procedures are indicated. Clearly, important clues to the cause of a person’s allergic condition can be gleaned from a thorough history and careful physical examination. Diagnostic tests – in vitro or in vivo – serve only to confirm the physician’s suspicions or to improve investigative skills. Specific diagnosis is especially indicated when the patient’s symptoms are not controlled by medication. When immunotherapy is contemplated demonstration of sensitivity to a specific allergenic extract is necessary. An orderly approach to the use of diagnostic tests usually begins with direct skin testing. 5,6,11
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED FOR TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WHO DO NOT MANIFEST IMMEDIATE HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO THE ALLERGENIC EXTRACT FOLLOWING SKIN TESTING.
Allergenic extract in this vial is referred to as an individual treatment vial since it is designed primarily for the physician equipped to complete skin testing and supervise allergenic extract immunotherapy. The extract is sterile and intended for subcutaneous injection. The concentration of allergenic extract supplied will be based on the individual physician’s prescription order and will be expressed in most cases on a weight/volume basis (or AU/ml with standardized extract) diluted either 1:10 or 1:5. Where mixtures of pollens and non-pollens have been ordered, the ingredients are listed on the final container label. To insure maximum potency for the entire dating period, dilutions will be prepared with 50% v/v glycerine unless otherwise specified.
Ingredients – Active allergens, preservative and stabilizer are noted on the Physicians Prescription Ingredients Insert enclosed with each individual allergenic extract treatment vial.
Dating Period – A twelve month dating period (expiration date) for the prescription vial will be on the container label. Extract Treatment Sets should be reordered when outdated. Government requirements include a two week holding period for sterility tests. Please allow three weeks minimum for delivery.
