standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa) at a glance
Medicine class
Tree-pollen allergen immunotherapy.
Form
A soft, freeze-dried sublingual lyophilisate placed under the tongue.
Who it is licensed for
Adults and children aged 5 years or older with confirmed sensitisation and relevant symptoms.
Starting treatment
The first administration is supervised by an allergy-experienced clinician, with observation for at least 30 minutes.
Important ingredient
Contains fish-source gelatine and may contain traces of fish protein.
What is standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa) used for?
UK-licensed use requires symptoms linked to the birch homologous pollen group, a relevant clinical history and confirmation by skin-prick testing and/or specific IgE testing.
Moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis caused by birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, oak or beech pollen.
Moderate-to-severe allergic conjunctivitis caused by those pollens.
Combined allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis when symptoms persist despite symptom-relieving treatment.
How does standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa) work?
Repeated exposure under the tongue aims to modify the immune response to related tree pollens rather than simply suppressing symptoms. The precise clinical mechanism is not fully understood, but treatment increases allergen-specific IgG4, which competes with IgE and can reduce activation of allergy-related immune cells.
How to take standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa)
Follow the allergy specialist’s instructions. The first administration must occur under medical supervision.
Use dry fingers to remove the fragile lyophilisate from its blister immediately before use; do not push it through the foil.
Place it under the tongue and allow it to disperse.
Avoid swallowing for about 1 minute.
Do not eat or drink for 5 minutes afterwards.
Temporarily interrupt treatment and contact the clinical team after significant mouth inflammation, ulcers, oral surgery, dental extraction or tooth loss; restart only as advised.
standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Itching or tingling of the mouth, tongue or ears
- Mouth swelling or throat irritation
- Runny nose, cough, hoarseness or eye symptoms
- Lip or tongue discomfort or swelling
- Altered taste
- Nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea or heartburn
- Oral allergy symptoms after certain raw fruits, vegetables or nuts
- Hives
Get urgent medical advice
- A systemic allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, including breathing difficulty, severe throat swelling, swallowing difficulty, voice change, faintness or marked worsening of asthma
- Persistent or severe heartburn, pain or difficulty when swallowing, which may indicate eosinophilic oesophagitis and requires prompt medical assessment
- Rapid swelling of the face, mouth or throat
standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa) in pregnancy
Do not start this allergen immunotherapy during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs after treatment has begun, continuation requires specialist review of previous reactions, general health and lung function; closer supervision is appropriate when asthma is present.
standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa) while breastfeeding
Clinical experience during breastfeeding is unavailable, although effects on the breastfed child are not anticipated. Discuss continuation with the prescriber.
standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa) interactions
No formal human interaction studies have identified direct medicine interactions. Several treatments remain clinically important because they may affect reactions or their emergency management.
Tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and COMT inhibitors
These may increase the effects of adrenaline if it is needed to treat a severe allergic reaction, so the specialist must know they are being taken.
Beta-blockers
These may reduce the effectiveness of adrenaline used for a severe allergic reaction.
Antihistamines and corticosteroids used for allergy symptoms
They may improve tolerance of immunotherapy; stopping them can increase treatment-related allergic effects and should be discussed with the prescriber.
Common questions about standardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is standardised white birch pollen allergen extract used for?
It treats confirmed moderate-to-severe allergic nose and/or eye symptoms caused by pollens in the birch homologous group when symptom-relieving treatments have been insufficient.
Which tree-pollen allergies can it treat?
The licence covers symptoms caused by birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, oak and beech pollens.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.