The Allergen-Glycerin Balance

Objective: 1) Review challenges monitoring allergen and glycerin levels in patient vials. 2) Describe the allergen and glycerin content of treatment board vials. 3) Demonstrate use of an algebraic calculator for determining the final glycerin concentrations. 4) Describe table comparing allergen levels in maintenance vial mixtures. Method: Convenient tools have been created to simplify calculation of final glycerin concentrations present in buildup and maintenance immunotherapy mixtures, and the final allergen doses administered relative to current immunotherapy practice parameter recommendations. Information was studied from 2005-present. Results: A limited tolerance to elevated glycerin levels can prompt reductions in injection volume (and allergen dose) for patient safety and compliance. The IDT and MQT algorithms introduce a variety of allergen and glycerin levels to patient vials that can be difficult to monitor or calculate easily. Conclusion: The effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy is linked directly to patient tolerance of both allergen loads and glycerin levels. Convenient tools have been created to simplify calculation of final glycerin concentrations present in buildup and maintenance immunotherapy mixtures, and the final allergen doses.