Allergy Shot Names: SCIT, Synonyms, and What Has Brand Names
The naming inventory for allergy shots: the clinical name is SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy), with synonyms including allergen immunotherapy (AIT), specific immunotherapy (SIT), hyposensitization (Noon 1911), desensitization, and allergy vaccine (WHO 1998). Brand names belong to SLIT tablets (Grastek, Oralair, Ragwitek, Odactra), biologics (Xolair, Dupixent, Tezspire), depot steroids (Kenalog-40, Depo-Medrol), and epinephrine devices (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, neffy) — never to SCIT itself.
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Allergy shot names: SCIT (clinical), allergen immunotherapy (AIT), hyposensitization, desensitization, allergy vaccine (WHO 1998). No brand name for SCIT. Brand names (Xolair, Grastek, EpiPen) all belong to different product categories.
The essentials
The plural framing 'allergy shot names' signals a reader who wants the full naming taxonomy — and the inventory is broader than most patients expect. The clinical name is one: subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), per the AAAAI/ACAAI/JCAAI Practice Parameter Third Update (Cox L, Nelson H, Lockey R et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011;127(1 Suppl):S1-S55, DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.09.034). The synonyms are several. The brand names belong to everything except SCIT itself.
Clinical name for SCIT: Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Clinical equivalents: allergen immunotherapy (AIT), specific immunotherapy (SIT), allergen-specific immunotherapy.
Historical synonyms: hyposensitization (Noon 1911, the original term), desensitization (dominant through mid-20th century), prophylactic inoculation (Noon's own 1911 term).
WHO-endorsed synonym (technically accurate, not preferred in US practice): allergen vaccine (Bousquet J, Lockey R, Malling HJ, J Allergy Clin Immunol 1998;102(4 Pt 1):558-562, PMID 9802362 — see allergy-vaccine page for the full WHO vs AAAAI terminology debate).
Whichever name a patient brings in — SCIT, immunotherapy, allergy vaccine, desensitization — Curex offers at-home SCIT ($129/mo): a personalized serum sterile-compounded to USP <797> standards, with board-certified allergist oversight and Zoom-supervised first dose, so patients can self-administer weekly at home once established.
BRAND NAMES FOR SLIT TABLETS (sublingual, not injected, but allergen immunotherapy): Grastek (Timothy grass, ALK-Abelló), Oralair (5-grass mix, Stallergenes), Ragwitek (short ragweed, Merck), Odactra (house dust mite, ALK-Abelló). These are FDA-approved branded pharmaceutical products.
BRAND NAMES FOR BIOLOGICS (injected, NOT immunotherapy): Xolair (omalizumab, Genentech/Roche, anti-IgE, FDA 2003; food allergy February 16, 2024 based on OUtMATCH trial), Dupixent (dupilumab, Sanofi/Regeneron, anti-IL-4Rα, FDA March 2017 for atopic dermatitis, October 2018 for asthma), Tezspire (tezepelumab, AstraZeneca/Amgen, anti-TSLP, FDA December 17, 2021 for severe asthma ≥12).
BRAND NAMES FOR DEPOT STEROIDS (symptomatic, NOT immunotherapy): Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide, Bristol-Myers Squibb, FDA February 1, 1965), Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate, Pfizer).
BRAND NAMES FOR EPINEPHRINE DEVICES (emergency rescue, NOT immunotherapy): EpiPen (Pfizer, FDA 1987), Auvi-Q (Kaléo, FDA 2012), neffy (epinephrine nasal spray, ARS Pharmaceuticals, FDA August 9, 2024; pediatric 1 mg dose March 5, 2025).
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See if at-home shots are right for youFrequently asked questions
What are all the names for allergy shots?
Names for allergy shots (all referring to SCIT — subcutaneous immunotherapy): subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), allergen immunotherapy (AIT), specific immunotherapy (SIT), allergen-specific immunotherapy, hyposensitization (Noon 1911), desensitization (mid-20th century), allergy vaccine (WHO 1998 endorsement per Bousquet J, Lockey R, Malling HJ, JACI 1998;102:558-562, PMID 9802362), prophylactic inoculation (Noon's original 1911 term). All refer to the same procedure: the 3-to-5-year course of escalating subcutaneous allergen extract injections defined in Cox 2011 Practice Parameter (DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.09.034).
What is Kenalog and is it an allergy shot?
Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide) is a depot corticosteroid injection — it is NOT allergen immunotherapy. It is a brand-name drug that suppresses the inflammatory response for several days to weeks, providing symptomatic allergy relief without modifying the underlying sensitization. The FDA label includes seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis only for cases 'intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment.' The AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Task Force rhinitis practice parameter discourages single parenteral corticosteroids for routine allergic rhinitis and contraindicates repeated use due to HPA-axis suppression. Kenalog has a brand name; SCIT (the actual allergy shot immunotherapy) does not.
What brand names are in the allergy space?
Brand names in the allergy treatment space fall into four categories: SLIT tablets — allergen immunotherapy delivered sublingually: Grastek (Timothy grass), Oralair (5-grass), Ragwitek (ragweed), Odactra (dust mite). Biologics — injected anti-inflammatory agents: Xolair (omalizumab, anti-IgE), Dupixent (dupilumab, anti-IL-4Rα), Tezspire (tezepelumab, anti-TSLP). Depot corticosteroids (symptomatic): Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide), Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate). Epinephrine rescue devices: EpiPen, Auvi-Q, neffy. SCIT itself has no brand name in any of these categories.
Is Dupixent the same as an allergy shot?
No. Dupixent (dupilumab) is an anti-IL-4 receptor alpha biologic — it blocks IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, which are key drivers of type 2 (Th2) inflammatory disease. FDA approvals include atopic dermatitis (March 2017), allergic asthma (October 2018), CRSwNP, EoE, prurigo nodularis, and COPD with eosinophilic phenotype. Dupixent is not allergen-specific and does not induce allergen tolerance. Benefits return when treatment stops. Allergy shots (SCIT) use allergen extracts to retrain the immune system over 3-5 years, with lasting disease-modifying remission (Durham SR et al., N Engl J Med 1999). These are different drug classes, different mechanisms, and different clinical goals.
Why doesn't SCIT have a brand name like Xolair or Dupixent?
SCIT has no brand name because it is not a manufactured pharmaceutical product — it is a custom-compounded preparation made per-patient by an allergist from FDA-licensed allergen extracts. The allergen sources, concentrations, and mix ratios are unique to each patient's sensitization profile. Xolair and Dupixent are manufactured biologic drugs with fixed compositions, FDA-approved indications, and established commercial branding. SCIT extracts are FDA-licensed biologicals (each with a regulatory license number), but the compounded treatment product is patient-specific and cannot carry a single product brand name.
How do I tell if my allergy injection is SCIT or something else?
SCIT (allergen immunotherapy) is administered at an allergist office, delivered into the upper outer arm subcutaneously with a 26-27G needle, followed by a mandatory 30-minute observation after each visit, and involves a custom-compounded vial labeled with your name, allergen source(s), and concentration. If you receive a single injection at a primary care office for seasonal hay fever symptoms, it is most likely a depot corticosteroid (Kenalog or Depo-Medrol). If you receive monthly injections of a branded biologic (Xolair, Dupixent, Tezspire) at an infusion/injection center, that is a biologic, not immunotherapy. On your EOB, look for CPT codes 95115, 95117, or 95165 — those are the billing codes for SCIT.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about a medical condition. Content reviewed by board-certified allergists at Curex.