Λεξικό .. ALLERGOVIT® Pollen Preparations (Αllergopharma)

ALLERGOVIT® Pollen Preparations (Αllergopharma)

Composition: Depot allergoids from pollen allergens for specific hyposensitization / immunotherapy, adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide, preserved with phenol and suspended in physiological saline solution; water for injection. Standardization takes place in TU (therapeutic units). Strength A: 1,000 TU/ml; strength B: 10,000 TU/ml. Indications: Allergic (IgE-mediated) diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic bronchial asthma etc., induced by the inhalation of unavoidable allergens.

Contraindications: Inflammation of the airways, persistent or insuf­ficient treated asthma, irreversible changes in the reaction organ, inflammatory/febrile diseases, severe acute or chronic diseases (also malignant diseases), significant cardiovascular diseases which increase the risk of side effects from epinephrine, multiple sclerosis, diseases of the immune system (autoimmune diseases, immune complex-induced immunopathies, immune defects, etc.), active tuberculosis, severe psychological disorders, treatment with beta-blockers (local, systemic). Special caution in ACE-inhibitor therapy, poor compliance and pregnancy (treatment should not be started during pregnancy). Observe contraindications for epinephrine (adrenaline)! In the event of simultaneous vaccination observe intervals as directed.

Side effects: Local and/ or systemic reactions (up to anaphylactic shock) must be reckoned with, then stop injections immediately. Formation of granuloma, exacerbation of atopic eczema. Delayed local reaction as a visual immune response, fatigue (responsiveness!). The patient has to be kept under observation for at least 30 minutes after treatment. Side effects can occur even hours after treatment. On the day of the injection, physical exertion should be avoided.

Pharmaceutical form and pack sizes: Suspension for subcutaneous injection: Pre-seasonal initial and maintenance treatment set: 2 vials of strength A and Î’ with 3 ml each. Pre-seasonal and perennial maintenance treatment set: 1 vial of strength Î’ with 3 ml. For additional information on doses, administration etc. see package insert. In Germany only available on prescription. Date of information: February 2007 [1].

Pre-seasonal short-term immunotherapy with the high-dose, hypoallergenic allergen preparation Allergovit has been shown to be efficacious and safe. A course of three years of 6-grass pollen SIT further improves allergic symptoms, quality of life and reduces the need for anti-allergic medication[2].

Two hundred and fifty-six patients with allergic rhinitis received Allrgovit immunotherapy, their local and systemic side-effect were observed, recorded and analyzed during the treatment.  The number of patients who got local side-effect was 84 cases, the percent of local side-effect was 4.45%; the number of patients who got systemic side-effect were 21 cases, the percent of systemic side-effect was 0.31%. Both side-effects were slight[3].

References

1. Αllergopharma. Index of Allergens and preparations, valid from June 1st 2005.

2. Williams A, Henzgen M, Rajakulasingam K. Additional benefit of a third year of specific grass pollen allergoid immunotherapy in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol.2007 Apr;39(4):123-6.

3. Chen J, Xiang J, Kong W, Shu H, Shi Q, Tan H. Safety analysis of Allergovit immunotherapy in patients of allergic rhinitis. Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi.2006 Mar;20(5):208-9.