What Are Allergy Shots Called? The Class Name Is SCIT
The class name for allergy shots is subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), also called allergen immunotherapy (AIT) or specific immunotherapy (SIT). There is no single brand name because each SCIT vial is custom-compounded from FDA-licensed allergen extracts named by source. Brand names belong to SLIT tablets (Grastek, Oralair, Ragwitek, Odactra), biologics (Xolair, Dupixent), and depot steroids — not to SCIT itself.
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Allergy shots are called subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), also known as allergen immunotherapy. There is no single brand name — each vial is custom-compounded and named by allergen source, concentration, and manufacturer.
The essentials
The class name for allergy shots is 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). Clinical equivalent names used interchangeably: allergen immunotherapy (AIT), specific immunotherapy (SIT), allergen-specific immunotherapy. Historical names: hyposensitization (Noon 1911), desensitization (mid-20th century). WHO 1998 synonym: allergen vaccine (Bousquet J, Lockey R, Malling HJ, JACI 1998;102:558-562, PMID 9802362).
The naming logic for SCIT is fundamentally different from branded pharmaceuticals. Each patient's vial is custom-compounded by the allergist using FDA-licensed extract(s) specific to that patient's sensitizations. The vial label identifies: patient name, allergen source(s), extract concentration and unit, vial dilution color code (if used), beyond-use date, and manufacturer.
Curex's at-home IgE blood test with allergist review confirms which allergen extracts should appear on the immunotherapy prescription, so the custom-compounded SCIT or SLIT preparation targets the actual sensitizations.
Extract source-naming examples (these are NOT brand names): Greer Standardized Cat Hair extract (FDA US License #308); ALK-Abelló Timothy Grass Pollen extract; Jubilant HollisterStier Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract.
Unit labels by extract type: BAU/mL (standardized grass pollens, short ragweed, cat hair — ID50EAL bioequivalence method); AU/mL (cat pelt, D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus at 10,000 or 30,000 AU/mL); µg of major allergen (Amb a 1 for ragweed, Fel d 1 for cat); PNU/mL and w/v (non-standardized extracts including molds, tree pollens, other animal danders).
FDA-approved SLIT tablet brands (sublingual, not injected, but immunotherapy): Grastek (Timothy grass, ALK-Abelló), Oralair (5-grass mix, Stallergenes), Ragwitek (short ragweed, Merck), Odactra (house dust mite, ALK-Abelló). These have consumer brand names because they are manufactured pharmaceutical products, not custom-compounded.
Branded injectables that are NOT immunotherapy: Xolair (omalizumab, anti-IgE biologic), Dupixent (dupilumab, anti-IL-4Rα), Tezspire (tezepelumab, anti-TSLP), Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide, depot steroid), Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate, depot steroid), EpiPen/Auvi-Q/neffy (epinephrine devices).
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See if at-home shots are right for youFrequently asked questions
What are allergy shots called medically?
Allergy shots are called subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in current medical practice, per the AAAAI/ACAAI Practice Parameter Third Update (Cox L, Nelson H, Lockey R et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011;127(1 Suppl):S1-S55). Equivalent terms include allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and specific immunotherapy (SIT). Historical terms include hyposensitization (Noon 1911), desensitization, and allergen vaccine (WHO 1998). For a form or insurance document, the most widely accepted clinical terminology is either 'subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT)' or 'allergen immunotherapy.' The lay term 'allergy shot' is understood but not used in clinical documentation.
Do allergy shots have a brand name?
No. SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy) has no brand name because each patient's vial is custom-compounded from FDA-licensed allergen extracts. The label on the vial shows the patient's name, the allergen source(s), the concentration unit (BAU/mL, AU/mL, µg of major allergen, PNU/mL, or w/v), the manufacturer, and the beyond-use date. Extract manufacturers include Stallergenes Greer, ALK-Abelló, Jubilant HollisterStier, Nelco Laboratories, and Antigen Laboratories — but these are manufacturing entities, not brand names for the treatment product itself.
What are the brand names of sublingual allergy tablets?
The four FDA-approved sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets, which are allergen immunotherapy delivered sublingually rather than injected, are: Grastek (Timothy grass pollen, ALK-Abelló; FDA-approved for grass pollen allergic rhinitis), Oralair (five-grass pollen mix, Stallergenes; FDA-approved for grass pollen AR), Ragwitek (short ragweed pollen, Merck; FDA-approved for ragweed AR), and Odactra (house dust mite, ALK-Abelló; FDA-approved for dust mite AR). These carry FDA boxed warnings for anaphylaxis and require a supervised first dose plus an epinephrine auto-injector prescription.
What does BAU/mL mean on an allergy shot vial?
BAU/mL stands for Bioequivalent Allergy Units per milliliter — the potency unit used for standardized grass pollen, short ragweed, and cat hair allergen extracts in the US. Potency is determined by the ID50EAL method (intradermal dilution for 50 mm sum of erythema determines the bioequivalent allergy unit), comparing test lots against CBER national reference standards. AU/mL (Allergy Units per milliliter) is used for cat pelt and house dust mite extracts. Non-standardized extracts are labeled in PNU/mL (Protein Nitrogen Units) or w/v (weight/volume ratio, e.g., 1:10 or 1:20). These are regulatory potency designations, not brand-name distinctions.
Why do different allergy clinics call allergy shots different things?
Different clinics may use the terms subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), allergen immunotherapy (AIT), specific immunotherapy (SIT), allergy shots, allergy injections, allergen desensitization, or hyposensitization — all referring to the same procedure. The AAAAI/ACAAI 2011 Practice Parameter standardized 'subcutaneous immunotherapy' and 'allergen immunotherapy' as the preferred clinical terms, but older terminology persists in patient communications, insurance forms, and primary care referrals. In any clinical context, all of these names refer to the same 3-to-5-year course of escalating subcutaneous allergen extract injections.
What is the name on an allergy shot EOB from insurance?
On an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from insurance, allergy shots appear under the billing codes CPT 95115 (single injection administration), CPT 95117 (two or more injections per visit), and CPT 95165 (allergen immunotherapy vial preparation, per dose) per CMS Article A57472. The procedure may be described as 'allergen immunotherapy,' 'subcutaneous immunotherapy,' or 'allergy injection administration' depending on the insurer's terminology system. The ICD-10 diagnosis code will reflect the underlying allergic condition (e.g., J30.1 for allergic rhinitis due to pollen). If the EOB shows Xolair (omalizumab) or Dupixent (dupilumab), those are different drug classes — not 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.