Saccharomyces cerevisiae

What it is used for

NON-STANDARDIZED ALLERGENIC EXTRACTS are indicated for:

• Skin test diagnosis of individuals with a clinical history of allergy to the specific corresponding allergens.

NON-STANDARDIZED ALLERGENIC EXTRACTS are indicated for:

• Immunotherapy for the reduction of allergen-induced allergic symptoms confirmed by positive skin test or by in vitro testing for allergen specific IgE antibodies for the specific corresponding allergens.

Side effects, and when to stop

Common adverse reactions reported for non-standardized allergenic extracts are:

• Local reactions occurring in 26 to 82% of all patients who receive subcutaneous immunotherapy, at the injection site (e.g., erythema, swelling, pruritus, tenderness and pain). 2
• Systemic adverse reactions, occurring in ≤ 7% of patients who receive subcutaneous immunotherapy (e.g., generalized skin erythema, urticaria, pruritus, angioedema, rhinitis, wheezing, laryngeal edema, hypotension, and shock). 3 Systemic reactions may be fatal. 2

No clinical trials of non-standardized allergenic extracts have been conducted.

Published studies of non-standardized allergenic extracts report systemic reactions occurring in fewer than 1% in patients receiving conventional immunotherapy and greater than 36% in patients receiving rush immunotherapy. Most systemic reactions occurred within 30 minutes of injection. However, systemic reactions have been reported to occur up to 2 hours after the final injection with rush schedules. Some reactions have occurred up to 6 hours after skin tests or immunotherapy. 2, 3

Who should not take it

Non-standardized allergenic extracts are contraindicated in individuals with the following conditions:

• Severe, unstable or uncontrolled asthma.
• History of any severe systemic reaction to the allergen extract when administered for diagnosis or treatment.
• Medical conditions that reduce the ability to survive anaphylaxis.

2 dosage and administration

For percutaneous, intradermal, or subcutaneous administration only. Do not inject intravenously.