Source: DGNews  |  Posted 9 years ago

By Roberta Friedman
Special to DG News

SAN ANTONIO, TX -- November 19, 2002 -- Local reactions that occur during allergy immunotherapy do not require doses to be adjusted.

The finding was reported here November 18 at the meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI).

In a single-site, single allergist clinic from August 1999 to May 2002, a no-dose adjustment policy was followed for immediate and late local reactions. A maintenance dose of 0.5 mL of 1:100 w/v was used, and each maintenance vial consisted of 0.5 to 1 mL of each antigen.

During 34 months of administering a total of 176 new immunotherapy prescriptions, 89 local reactions appeared. None of the patients discontinued the course of therapy due to these reactions.

Major Michael Tankersley, MD, who administered the practice at Elmendorf Medical Center, in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, said, "a no dose adjustment policy did not increase the rate of systemic reactions."

The policy to stick with the dosing schedule should provide for fewer delays in treatment, and "should increase patient satisfaction and compliance," Dr. Tankersley said. He added that "there should be fewer dosing errors" as well.

Dr. Tankersley gave a total of 10,636 injections. Of 14 percent of patients who discontinued therapy, none cited local reactions as a concern.