Real-world safety of allergen immunotherapy in adults with respiratory allergies

A recent study published in Allergy examined real-world safety data on allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in adults with respiratory allergies. The study followed 1,545 patients—using both sublingual (SLIT) and subcutaneous (SCIT) routes—across eight European countries. Adverse events were recorded in 7.4% of patients, with most reactions being mild and only 0.2% experiencing severe reactions. Notably, adverse events were more common during the build-up phase than in the maintenance phase, and SLIT was associated with fewer and less severe reactions compared to SCIT. 

The analysis also identified several risk factors for adverse events, including the presence of asthma, use of SCIT, and treatment with natural allergen extracts—particularly those involving mugwort, birch pollen, and cat epithelia. 

The findings emphasise the need for careful patient selection and monitoring during AIT, particularly in those with asthma. This reinforces the importance of optimising asthma control before and during AIT to ensure patient safety and treatment success. 

Overall, the study reinforces that with proper clinical supervision, AIT offers a safe treatment option for adults with respiratory allergies, with serious reactions remaining rare. 

Read the full report here: Allergen immunotherapy adverse events in adults with respiratory allergies-data from ADER: An EAACI task force report