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What is allergen immunotherapy?
Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) may reduce allergic reactions to common allergens including pollens, animal dander and dust mites. In most cases, the initial 6 to 12 month course of allergy shots is likely to gradually decrease sensitivity to airborne allergens and continuation of injections leads to further improvement. Although the injections do not “cure” patients they diminish sensitivities, resulting in fewer symptoms and use of fewer medications. If you complete at least 3-5 years (of maintenance dose) shots there may be sustained improvement of your symptoms meaning even after you discontinue allergy shots. It is important to maintain shots at the proper time interval; missing your shots for a short time may be acceptable but an appropriate adjustment in the dose of shots may be necessary for long lapses in injections. Please contact us if you miss receiving your injections for longer than what is recommended for your current vial.
How long are shots given?
There are generally two phases to immunotherapy: a build-up phase and a maintenance phase
Build-up phase: involves receiving injections with increasing amounts of the allergens. The frequency of injections during this phase generally ranges from 1 to 2 times a week. The duration of this phase depends on the frequency of the injections but generally ranges from 3 to 6 months (at a frequency of 2 times and 1 time a week, respectively).
Maintenance phase: This phase begins when the effective therapeutic dose is reached. Once the target maintenance dose is reached, the intervals between the allergy injections can be increased. The intervals between maintenance immunotherapy injections generally ranges from every 2 to every 6 weeks but should be individualized to provide the best combination of effectiveness and safety for each person. Shorter intervals between allergy injections may lead to fewer reactions and greater benefit in some people and some individuals may tolerate intervals longer than four weeks between injections.
Are there any medications I should not be taking while on allergy shots?
YES. You must not be on any beta blockers if you are on allergy shots. Beta blockers will block the effects of the epinephrine autoinjector, which can be life saving in the event of an allergic reaction to allergy shots. You must inform our office if you are on any beta blockers if you are interested in allergy shots.
See a list of beta blockers below.
What are the side effects of allergen immunotherapy?
IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE ALLERGY INJECTION ITSELF. REACTIONS CAN BE LOCAL (SWELLING AT THE INJECTION SITE) OR SYSTEMIC (AFFECTING THE REST OF THE BODY). SYSTEMIC REACTIONS INCLUDE HAY FEVER TYPE SYMPTOMS, HIVES, FLUSHING, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, AND/OR ASTHMA, AND RARELY, LIFE THREATENING REACTIONS. SOME CONDITIONS CAN MAKE ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO THE INJECTIONS MORE LIKELY: HEAVY NATURAL EXPOSURE TO POLLEN DURING A POLLEN SEASON AND EXERCISE AFTER AN INJECTION, OR CURRENT ILLNESS/INFECTION ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A FEVER PRESENT. SERIOUS SYSTEMIC REACTIONS CAN OCCUR IN PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA THAT HAS WORSENED AND IS NOT WELL CONTROLLED ON RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS. THEREFORE, IF YOU HAVE NOTED WORSENING OF YOUR ASTHMA SYMPTOMS, NOTIFY YOUR NURSE OR PHYSICIAN BEFORE RECEIVING YOUR SCHEDULED INJECTIONS! REACTIONS TO INJECTIONS CAN OCCUR, HOWEVER, EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF THESE CONDITIONS.
Please inform the nursing staff if you have been diagnosed with a new medical condition or prescribed any new medications since your last visit. If any symptoms occur immediately or within hours of your injection, please inform the nurse before you receive your next injection.
What is my financial responsibility for allergy shots?
Insurance coverage for shots will vary. Your insurance might cover all the costs of your allergy immunotherapy or you may be responsible for a copayment/coinsurance for either the allergy serum, each shot visit or both. You must determine your financial responsibility for shots prior to agreeing in order to provide complete consent. You must call your insurance and request your responsibility for the following codes:
95165 (per vial charge - billed monthly)
95115 (single injection charge - billed each visit when applicable)
95117 (multiple injection charge - billed each visit when applicable)
Please note, charges are subject to your deductible.
When can I start getting my allergy shots?
After allergy skin testing is completed and we know exactly what you are allergic to you may sign the consent form to initiate allergy immunotherapy.
Once we receive your consent and confirmation, the allergen extract will be mixed in the physician’s office under the appropriate standards and will be prepared in advance of your first shot appointment. After your shot serum is prepared, you will be notified via text or a phone call that they are ready and you may start coming to the clinic for your shots during allergy shot hours. Please refer to our website www.caallergy.com for updated shot hours.
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