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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Potassium Gluconate, Adrenalinum, Hepar Bovine, Arsenicum Album, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla (pratensis), Sulphur, Ambrosia Artemisiaefolia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Orchard Grass, Bermuda Grass, Johnson Grass, Rye Grass, Vernal Grass, Bahia Grass, Timothy Grass, Histaminum Hydrochloricum
Brand Name
Allergen
Generic Name
Potassium Gluconate, Adrenalinum, Hepar Bovine, Arsenicum Album, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla (pratensis), Sulphur, Ambrosia Artemisiaefolia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Orchard Grass, Bermuda Grass, Johnson Grass, Rye Grass, Vernal Grass, Bahia Grass, Timothy Grass, Histaminum Hydrochloricum
Active Ingredient
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia WholeCategory
Non-Standardized Food Allergenic Extract [EPC]
Variants
1
Different strengths and dosage forms
| Strength | Form | Route | NDC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 [hp_X]/mL | LIQUID | ORAL | 43857-0557 |
Detailed information about Allergen
This page is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Before using any prescription or over-the-counter medication for Allergen, you must consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is a non-standardized allergenic extract used primarily in the diagnosis and treatment of ragweed-induced allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis through immunotherapy.
Dosage for Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is highly individualized and must be determined by a board-certified allergist or immunologist. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' dose.
Treatment typically consists of two phases:
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole may be used in children, typically starting at age 5. The dosing schedule is similar to that of adults but requires even more cautious escalation. Clinical studies have shown that early intervention with immunotherapy in children can prevent the development of asthma (the 'allergic march'). However, use in children under age 5 is generally avoided due to the difficulty of the child communicating early symptoms of a systemic reaction.
No specific dosage adjustments are required for patients with renal impairment, as the proteins are metabolized locally and not cleared significantly by the kidneys.
No dosage adjustments are necessary for patients with liver disease.
Caution is advised in patients over age 65. The primary concern is the patient's ability to tolerate a systemic reaction or the use of epinephrine if an emergency occurs. Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease should be evaluated thoroughly before starting treatment.
If a dose is missed during the build-up phase, the next dose may need to be reduced or the previous dose repeated to ensure safety. If a dose is missed during the maintenance phase by more than 2 weeks, the allergist will typically reduce the dose for the next injection and then gradually build back up. Never attempt to 'double up' on doses.
An overdose of Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole occurs if too much allergen is injected or if the dose is escalated too quickly. The primary sign of overdose is a systemic allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.
In the event of an overdose, epinephrine (0.3mg for adults) must be administered intramuscularly immediately, and emergency services (911) should be contacted.
> Important: Follow your healthcare provider's dosing instructions. Do not adjust your dose without medical guidance.
Most patients undergoing treatment with Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole will experience local reactions. These are generally considered a sign that the immune system is responding to the therapy.
> Warning: Stop taking Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency care if you experience any of these symptoms of anaphylaxis.
There are no known long-term 'toxic' effects of Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole, as it is a natural protein extract. The primary long-term risk is the development of 'late-phase' reactions, which occur 6 to 12 hours after an injection. These typically manifest as significant swelling of the arm. While not usually dangerous, they require a modification of the dosing schedule.
While the 'Whole' extract vials themselves may not always carry a unified black box warning, the FDA requires a Black Box Warning for all Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) products containing ragweed (such as Ragwitek), which applies to the clinical use of these extracts:
Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider.
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is a high-risk biological product that must be handled with extreme care. It is intended only for use by physicians who are experienced in the administration of allergenic extracts and the treatment of anaphylaxis. Patients must be informed that the risk of a systemic reaction is present with every single dose, even if they have tolerated previous doses well.
No FDA black box warnings exist for the generic 'Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole' non-standardized extract vials specifically, but the class-wide warning for ragweed immunotherapy products emphasizes that severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis can occur. Patients with uncontrolled asthma are at the highest risk for fatal outcomes and should not receive this treatment.
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole does not typically cause sedation. However, if a patient experiences a systemic reaction or receives epinephrine, they should not drive or operate machinery until they have been cleared by a medical professional. Some patients may feel lightheaded after an injection due to a vasovagal response (fainting at the sight of a needle).
Alcohol consumption should be avoided for several hours before and after receiving an injection. Alcohol can cause vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), which may increase the rate of allergen absorption and potentially trigger a more severe reaction.
If treatment is discontinued for more than a few weeks, it cannot be restarted at the previous dose. A 'step-back' protocol must be followed. If a patient experiences a severe systemic reaction, the physician will conduct a risk-benefit analysis to determine if immunotherapy should be stopped permanently.
> Important: Discuss all your medical conditions with your healthcare provider before starting Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole.
> Important: Tell your doctor about ALL medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole must NEVER be used in the following circumstances:
These conditions require a careful risk-benefit analysis by the physician:
Patients who are allergic to Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole are highly likely to be cross-sensitive to other members of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family, including:
Exposure to these plants or their extracts may increase the baseline level of inflammation, making the patient more prone to a reaction from their immunotherapy dose.
> Important: Your healthcare provider will evaluate your complete medical history before prescribing Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole.
Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole in pregnant women.
It is generally considered safe to continue ragweed immunotherapy while breastfeeding. The large protein molecules in the extract are not expected to pass into breast milk in any significant or harmful quantity. There is no evidence of adverse effects on the nursing infant.
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is frequently used in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and AAAAI note that immunotherapy is effective in children as young as 5 years old. It is particularly valued for its potential to prevent the development of new sensitivities and to reduce the risk of the child developing asthma later in life. It is NOT recommended for children under 5 because they cannot adequately describe the early 'aura' of an impending allergic reaction.
In patients over 65, the decision to use Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole must be made with caution. The aging immune system (immunosenescence) may result in a less robust response to the therapy. More importantly, elderly patients are more likely to have underlying cardiovascular conditions or be taking multiple medications (polypharmacy) that increase the risk of complications from a systemic reaction.
No dosage adjustments are needed. The metabolic pathway of the allergenic proteins does not involve renal filtration. However, if a patient has severe kidney disease, their overall physiological reserve to handle an anaphylactic event should be considered.
No adjustments are required for patients with liver impairment. The liver does not play a primary role in the processing of these injected proteins.
> Important: Special populations require individualized medical assessment.
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole acts as an active immunotherapeutic agent. The primary allergens in the extract, particularly Amb a 1 (a 38-kDa acidic glycoprotein), are captured by dendritic cells at the site of administration. These cells process the allergens and present them to T-lymphocytes. In an allergic individual, this presentation usually favors a Th2 response. Immunotherapy forces the system toward 'immune tolerance.' This is achieved by:
The pharmacodynamic effect of Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is delayed and cumulative. Unlike an antihistamine which works in 30 minutes, the 'drug effect' of this extract takes months to manifest. The duration of effect is one of its most unique features; successful completion of a 3-5 year course can result in 10-15 years of symptom relief, a phenomenon known as 'disease modification.'
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Bioavailability | N/A (Biological/Local) |
| Protein Binding | Minimal (Local Tissue Binding) |
| Half-life | Days (Proteins); Years (Immune Memory) |
| Tmax | 1-2 hours (Systemic absorption of trace proteins) |
| Metabolism | Proteolysis (Extracellular and Lysosomal) |
| Excretion | Renal (Trace metabolites) |
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is classified as a Non-Standardized Plant Allergenic Extract. It is grouped with other weeds such as Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) and Chenopodium album (Lamb's Quarter). While it shares some EPC (Established Pharmacologic Class) tags with adrenergic agonists in some databases, this is due to its clinical association with the emergency use of epinephrine and its role in complex immunological signaling pathways.
Common questions about Allergen
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is primarily used for the diagnosis and treatment of ragweed allergies, commonly known as hay fever. In diagnostic settings, a small amount of the extract is applied to the skin to see if it causes a reaction, confirming a ragweed sensitivity. In treatment, it is used in allergen immunotherapy, where increasing doses are given over time to desensitize the immune system. This helps reduce symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion during ragweed season. It is specifically indicated for patients who do not get enough relief from standard allergy medications like antihistamines.
The most frequent side effects are local reactions at the site where the extract was injected or applied. This typically includes redness, itching, and a small amount of swelling, similar to a mosquito bite. These reactions usually appear within minutes and fade within a day. Some patients may also experience a temporary increase in their usual allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose or itchy eyes, shortly after treatment. Fatigue or a mild headache on the day of the injection is also commonly reported by patients during the build-up phase.
It is strongly recommended to avoid alcohol for several hours before and after receiving an injection of Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole. Alcohol causes the blood vessels to dilate (expand), which can speed up the absorption of the allergen into your bloodstream. This increased absorption rate significantly raises the risk of a systemic allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Furthermore, alcohol can mask some of the early warning signs of a reaction, such as flushing or dizziness. Always wait until the following day to consume alcohol to ensure the dose has been safely processed by your immune system.
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is generally not started during pregnancy due to the risk of a severe allergic reaction, which could harm the developing baby by reducing oxygen supply. However, if a woman is already on a stable 'maintenance' dose and becomes pregnant, most allergists agree that it is safe to continue the treatment. The dose is usually kept the same and not increased until after delivery. If you are planning to become pregnant or find out you are pregnant while on allergy shots, you must inform your doctor immediately. They will perform a risk assessment to decide the safest path forward for you and your baby.
Allergen immunotherapy with Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole is a long-term commitment and does not provide immediate relief. Most patients begin to notice a decrease in their allergy symptoms after 3 to 6 months of treatment, once they reach the maintenance phase. However, the full benefits are typically not realized until after the first full ragweed season on the maintenance dose. For the treatment to provide long-lasting 'permanent' relief, it must usually be continued for 3 to 5 years. This allows the immune system to fully develop a 'memory' of tolerance toward the ragweed proteins.
While you can stop the treatment at any time without experiencing traditional 'withdrawal' symptoms, doing so will stop the desensitization process. If you stop during the build-up phase, your allergy symptoms will likely return to their original severity during the next ragweed season. If you have completed several years of treatment, the benefits may last for many years after stopping. If you need to pause treatment due to illness or travel, do not restart at the same dose. You must consult your allergist, as they will need to lower the dose to safely restart the immunotherapy process.
If you miss a scheduled injection, contact your allergist's office as soon as possible to reschedule. Do not simply show up for your next appointment and expect the usual dose. Depending on how much time has passed since your last shot, your doctor may need to repeat the previous dose or even reduce it to ensure your safety. Missing doses, especially during the build-up phase, increases the risk of a reaction when you restart. Consistency is key to the success of immunotherapy, so try to stick to the schedule provided by your healthcare team.
There is no clinical evidence to suggest that Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole causes weight gain. Unlike oral corticosteroids (like prednisone), which are sometimes used to treat severe allergies and can cause weight changes, allergenic extracts are proteins that work locally and on the immune system without affecting metabolism or appetite. If you experience weight gain while on this treatment, it is likely due to other factors or medications. Always discuss any unexpected physical changes with your healthcare provider to identify the underlying cause.
Most standard allergy medications, such as antihistamines and nasal steroids, can be taken alongside this extract. In fact, they are often used to help manage the mild side effects of the shots. However, certain medications like beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and MAOIs can make the treatment much more dangerous by interfering with the body's response to a reaction or its treatment. It is vital to provide your allergist with a complete list of all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you are taking before you begin the immunotherapy process.
The term 'Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole' refers to the generic biological extract itself. It is produced by several different laboratories (such as ALK-Abelló, Greer Laboratories, or Jubilant HollisterStier). While these extracts are functionally similar, they are not considered 'interchangeable' like generic aspirin. If your doctor switches you from one manufacturer's extract to another, they will often reduce the dose slightly to ensure safety, as the exact protein concentration can vary between different 'non-standardized' preparations. There is no single 'brand name' for the raw bulk extract vials.
Other drugs with the same active ingredient (Ambrosia Artemisiifolia Whole)