Allergy Shots Names: SCIT, Synonyms, and the Full Branded Inventory
Allergy shots have one clinical name — SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy) — plus six synonyms including allergen immunotherapy, hyposensitization, and allergy vaccine (WHO 1998). SCIT itself has no brand name. The broader 'allergy shot' space contains 4 FDA-approved SLIT tablets, 3 branded biologics, 2 depot corticosteroids, and 3 epinephrine devices — all distinct from custom-compounded SCIT.
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SCIT is the clinical name. Synonyms: allergen immunotherapy (AIT), hyposensitization, allergy vaccine. SCIT has no brand. Related branded products: SLIT tablets (Grastek, Oralair, Ragwitek, Odactra), biologics (Xolair, Dupixent, Tezspire), steroids (Kenalog), epinephrine (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, neffy).
The essentials
The clinical 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). The synonyms: allergen immunotherapy (AIT), specific immunotherapy (SIT), allergen-specific immunotherapy, hyposensitization (Noon 1911), desensitization, and allergen vaccine (WHO 1998 per Bousquet J, Lockey R, Malling HJ, JACI 1998;102(4 Pt 1):558-562, PMID 9802362).
SCIT is custom-compounded per patient from FDA-licensed allergen extracts — it has no brand name. FDA-licensed extract manufacturers include Stallergenes Greer, ALK-Abelló, Jubilant HollisterStier, Nelco Laboratories, and Antigen Laboratories.
Whichever 'allergy shot' product a patient is asking about, Curex's at-home IgE blood test with allergist review identifies the underlying sensitization profile before any prescription is committed to.
The 19 FDA-standardized allergen extracts (FDA CBER) are the building blocks for SCIT. Standardized extracts include 8 grass pollens (Bermuda, Kentucky Bluegrass, Meadow Fescue, Orchard, Perennial Rye, Redtop, Sweet Vernal, Timothy), short ragweed (potency by Amb a 1 content), cat hair, cat pelt, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and 5 Hymenoptera venoms (honey bee, yellow jacket, yellow hornet, white-faced hornet, wasp).
Four FDA-approved SLIT tablet brand names (sublingual, allergen immunotherapy, not injected): Grastek (timothy grass, ALK-Abelló), Oralair (5-grass mix, Stallergenes), Ragwitek (short ragweed, Merck), Odactra (house dust mite, ALK-Abelló). All four carry FDA boxed warnings for anaphylaxis or severe laryngopharyngeal reactions and require a supervised first dose plus an epinephrine auto-injector prescription.
Three FDA-approved injectable biologics with primary allergy-related indications: Xolair (omalizumab, anti-IgE, FDA 2003 for allergic asthma; food allergy indication February 16, 2024 based on OUtMATCH trial), Dupixent (dupilumab, anti-IL-4Rα, FDA March 2017 for atopic dermatitis, October 2018 for allergic asthma, plus CRSwNP, EoE, prurigo nodularis, and COPD eosinophilic phenotype), Tezspire (tezepelumab, anti-TSLP, FDA December 17, 2021 for severe asthma ≥12).
Two commonly used depot corticosteroids (injected, symptomatic, NOT immunotherapy): Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone acetonide, FDA February 1, 1965) and Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate). Three commonly used epinephrine rescue devices (NOT immunotherapy): EpiPen (FDA 1987), Auvi-Q (Kaléo, FDA 2012), neffy nasal spray (ARS Pharmaceuticals, FDA August 9, 2024; pediatric 1 mg dose March 5, 2025).
Curex's at-home allergy shot program (SCIT) at $129/month delivers a personalized serum sterile-compounded to USP <797> standards — the same allergen-specific tolerance-inducing class as clinic SCIT, self-administered once weekly at home with a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector confirmed on hand and first-dose Zoom supervision by the care team.
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See if at-home shots are right for youFrequently asked questions
What are all the names for allergy shots?
Clinical name: SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy), per Cox 2011 Practice Parameter (DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.09.034). Synonyms: allergen immunotherapy (AIT), specific immunotherapy (SIT), allergen-specific immunotherapy, hyposensitization (Noon 1911), desensitization, allergen vaccine (WHO 1998, PMID 9802362). All refer to the same 3-to-5-year subcutaneous allergen extract course. SCIT has no brand name. Brand names in the allergy injection space 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).
How many FDA-standardized allergy shot extracts are there?
There are 19 FDA-standardized allergen extracts (FDA CBER). These are: 8 grass pollens (Bermuda, Kentucky Bluegrass, Meadow Fescue, Orchard, Perennial Rye, Redtop, Sweet Vernal, Timothy), short ragweed, cat hair, cat pelt, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and 5 Hymenoptera venoms (honey bee, yellow jacket, yellow hornet, white-faced hornet, wasp). Hundreds of additional allergen extracts are FDA-licensed but not standardized — they are labeled in PNU/mL or w/v and have greater lot-to-lot variability in potency.
What is the difference between SLIT and SCIT product names?
SLIT tablets have FDA-approved brand names: Grastek (timothy grass), Oralair (5-grass), Ragwitek (short ragweed), Odactra (house dust mite). They are manufactured pharmaceutical products with fixed compositions and approved indications. SCIT is custom-compounded per patient by an allergist from FDA-licensed allergen extract sources — it has no overarching brand name. The extract components have manufacturer designations (e.g., Stallergenes Greer Timothy Grass Pollen extract), but the compounded treatment product is named by patient, allergen content, and concentration — not a drug brand.
Are Xolair, Dupixent, and Tezspire allergy shot names?
Xolair, Dupixent, and Tezspire are biologic drug brand names for injected medications used in allergy-related conditions — they are not allergen immunotherapy. Xolair (omalizumab) is anti-IgE; Dupixent (dupilumab) is anti-IL-4Rα; Tezspire (tezepelumab) is anti-TSLP. None of them uses allergen extracts, and none of them induces allergen-specific tolerance. They suppress inflammatory pathways rather than reprogramming allergen recognition. SCIT (the actual allergy shots for immunotherapy) and these biologics are prescribed by allergists but are categorically different treatments.
Does allergy vaccine have an official name?
The WHO endorsed 'allergen vaccine' as an official synonym for SCIT in 1998 (Bousquet J, Lockey R, Malling HJ, JACI 1998;102:558-562, PMID 9802362) to align allergen immunotherapy with the wider vaccine framework. The term 'allergen vaccine' is accurate — SCIT uses allergen-derived antigen to produce antigen-specific immune tolerance, analogous in concept to vaccines for infectious diseases. However, US clinical practice (AAAAI/ACAAI) reverted to 'immunotherapy' in the 2011 Cox Practice Parameter and does not commonly use 'allergy vaccine' in prescribing or billing contexts. The term appears in WHO documentation and European literature more than in US practice.
What names appear on an allergy shot billing statement?
Billing statements use CPT codes, not drug brand names, for SCIT. CPT 95115 (single injection administration), CPT 95117 (two or more injections administered at one visit), and CPT 95165 (professional service for allergen immunotherapy preparation, per dose unit) are the standard SCIT billing codes per CMS Article A57472. On an EOB, a patient may see 'allergen immunotherapy,' 'allergy injection,' or 'subcutaneous immunotherapy' as the service description. No brand name appears on SCIT claims because no brand name exists. If a brand name appears (e.g., Xolair), the claim is for a biologic, not SCIT.
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Read moreGet your allergy shots — without the clinic.
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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.