Adverse effects of allergen immunotherapy - Assessment and treatment

No allergenic vaccine should be considered completely safe for an individua l allergic to its contents. Local reactions that occur during allergen immu notherapy generally require no treatment, whereas systemic reactions may be fatal in rare instances. Unstable asthma poses the greatest risk for indiv iduals receiving immunotherapy. Other significant risk factors include acce lerated immunotherapy regimens, concurrent use of beta-blocker medications, a seasonal exacerbation of asthma or rhinitis, and a high degree of allerg ic hypersensitivity. Prompt recognition and treatment of systemic reactions with injections of epinephrine are essential. Appropriate precautions sign ificantly reduce the risk of fatal systemic reactions.