In most cases allergen immunotherapy should be considered as a part of a well-planned program that includes pharmacotherapy and avoidance measures. Allergen immunotherapy should be considered a long-term therapeutic modality in patients with allergic asthma.
Patient compliance is essential for the effective and safe application of allergen immunotherapy.
Although precise mechanisms for efficacy of allergen immunotherapy are unknown, several specific immunomodulatory pathways have been implicated. Immediate and delayed local and systemic reactions may occur in the course of allergen immunotherapy. Patients should be informed about the relative risks of immediate and delayed reactions associated with allergen immunotherapy. Both patients and medical personnel should be instructed in detail about prevention and treatment of reactions to allergen immunotherapy. Although life-threatening reactions during allergen immunotherapy are rare, fatalities can occur.