About ABEVAC 1MG/ML VIAL
ABEVAC 1MG/ML VIAL contains Honey bee venom allergen extract. Honey bee venom allergen extract is a standardised allergy product used by an allergy specialist to confirm bee-venom allergy or for immunotherapy that reduces the risk of a severe reaction to future stings. It can itself cause life-threatening anaphylaxis, so it is injected only in a resuscitation-equipped clinic with observation.
This medicine is used under close medical supervision, usually by a specialist. Never start, stop or change it without your doctor.
What it is used for
- Diagnosing honey-bee venom allergy during specialist assessment when an approved diagnostic product is used
- Immunotherapy for people with a documented systemic allergic reaction to a bee sting and evidence of sensitisation
How it is used
- An allergy specialist injects it under the skin in an equipped clinic; never inject it yourself or use venom-containing cosmetics for this purpose
- Before every injection tell the team about asthma, infection, any reaction after the previous injection and all new medicines
- Remain in the clinic for observation for the period specified by the team after every injection
- Avoid strenuous exercise, heat and alcohol around the injection when advised, and carry prescribed emergency treatment for bee stings
Possible side effects
- Redness, itching, swelling or pain at the injection site
- Hives, generalised itching or swelling away from the injection site
- Wheezing, cough or breathing difficulty
- Dizziness, low blood pressure or loss of consciousness from anaphylaxis
- A delayed reaction such as larger swelling or tiredness after leaving the clinic
Who should not use it
- Severe or uncontrolled asthma at the time of injection
- A medical condition that makes anaphylaxis treatment unsafe or ineffective as judged by the allergy specialist
- Allergy to a non-venom ingredient in the product
Before and while using it
- Fatal anaphylaxis can occur during or after an injection; adrenaline, resuscitation and patient observation must be available
- An injection is withheld during an asthma flare or acute illness until the specialist reassesses you
- Immediately report itchy palms or soles, throat swelling, voice change, dizziness or breathing difficulty
- The team may need to alter the treatment plan after any systemic reaction or large local swelling
- Immunotherapy does not replace sting avoidance or carrying an adrenaline auto-injector when prescribed
Medicine interactions
- Beta blockers may worsen a reaction and reduce the response to adrenaline, so the allergy specialist must review them
- Some heart and blood-pressure medicines such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors require an individual review before immunotherapy
- Immunosuppressants may reduce the treatment response, and allergy medicines can affect some skin tests
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Immunotherapy is not usually started during pregnancy, but a specialist may continue a stable course after assessing benefit and risk; report pregnancy promptly
- Discuss breastfeeding with the allergy specialist; the decision depends on treatment stability and reaction risk
How to store it
- The clinic stores the extract refrigerated and protected from light according to the manufacturer's instructions; it must not be frozen
Catalogue information only, not medical advice. A missing value means the source did not provide it. Product registrations and packs can change, so always check the current pack and leaflet.
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.