The Effect of Antihypertensive Drugs on Severity of Anaphylaxis and Side-effects During Venom Immunotherapy

There is an ongoing debate whether antihypertensive treatment with beta-blockers and/or angiotensin converting Enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors comprises a risk factor for more severe and more frequent side-effects during venom immunotherapy (VIT). In the literature, data are controversial and originate from case reports or statistically underpowered studies; the number of included patients was usually high but the proportion of patients on antihypertensive treatment was low ranging from 2-11%. The study was conducted as a prospective, observational, European multicenter study. 1425 patients, aged from 35 to 85 years, with a history of an anaphylactic reaction due to bee or wasp stings, were included. The medical history was recorded as well as laboratory parameters and data of the VIT-updosing phase. One year after reaching the maintenance dose, possible side-effects during VIT as well as the outcome of field stings or sting challenges were documented.