[Systemic side effects in immunotherapy of allergic diseases--a comparative study]

Data on systemic side effects (SSE) of specific immunotherapy of allergic diseases recorded in 99 publications over the past 10 years were evaluated and compared with the figure of 0.4% SSE, according to number of injections, published in 1987 by the authors of the present study. The latter figure ranks among the lowest of comparable publications and under present conditions represents the standard. Reasons for the small number of side effects may be found in persistent use of antihistamine premedication before each injection and reduction of vaccination dosage to 50,000 SQ units maximally. Chemically modified allergens are by no means less liable to produce side effects than other allergens. The comparison was undertaken with respect to the following preparations: Alavac P, Allergovit, Allpyral, Alutard, Aquagen (ALK aqueous), Conjuvac, Diephuis, Migen, Novo Helisen, Pangramin Depot, Pharmalgen, Pollinex, Reless, Spectralgen, Stallergenes Depot, and some vaccines, prepared by the authors themselves.