REDUCTION OF SIDE-EFFECTS FROM RUSH-IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH HONEY-BEE VENOM BY PRETREATMENT WITH TERFENADINE

In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial on 52 patients with bee venom allergy we studied the effect of a pretreatment with terfenadine 120 mg twice daily on the occurrence of local and systemic allergic side effects from rush-immunotherapy. Large local reactions were significantly reduced by terfenadine pretreatment (P < 0.01), while systemic side effects were observed with similar frequencies in both groups. Analysis of individual systemic allergic manifestations showed that cutaneous symptoms like itching (P < 0.025) and urticaria/angioedema (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced, while respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms were not influenced. A lower consumption of additional anti-allergic medication was found during terfenadine pretreatment (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with antihistamines during immunotherapy may thus be helpful in the management of patients with cutaneous side effects.