Comments for Consumers

This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.

---

Australian Prescriber Vol. 26 No. 4 2003

Immunotherapy

Some substances in our surroundings can cause people to have allergic reactions. For example, hay fever can be caused by an allergic reaction to pollen. Some people with asthma have an allergy to house dust.

Most people with allergies can manage themselves. They avoid what causes their allergy or take medicines such as antihistamines. Sometimes these treatments are not enough to stop the symptoms. Desensitisation treatment may then be advised.

Desensitisation treatment involves a course of injections. These injections contain a tiny amount of whatever substance causes the patient's allergy. The amount is increased with each injection, until the immune system gets used to the substance. The patient is then less likely to have a reaction to that substance. This treatment does not work for all allergies, but it can help to reduce hay fever, if given before the hay fever season starts.

There is a risk of having an allergic reaction to the treatment. Rarely this can be life-threatening. Patients must therefore stay in the clinic for at least 30 minutes after an injection. Desensitisation treatment should only be given in a clinic which has the equipment to revive any patient who has a severe reaction.casionally and for a short time. When they are taken every night they do not work so well and patients can become addicted to them.