Loading...
Loading...
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Hypericum Perforatum, Lachesis Muta Venom, Lytta Vesicatoria, Echinacea Angustifolia, Sodium Chloride, And Plantago Major
Brand Name
D-78
Generic Name
Hypericum Perforatum, Lachesis Muta Venom, Lytta Vesicatoria, Echinacea Angustifolia, Sodium Chloride, And Plantago Major
Active Ingredient
Echinacea AngustifoliaCategory
Standardized Chemical Allergen [EPC]
Variants
1
Different strengths and dosage forms
| Strength | Form | Route | NDC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 [hp_X]/mL | SOLUTION | SUBLINGUAL | 58264-0079 |
Detailed information about D-78
This page is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Before using any prescription or over-the-counter medication for D-78, you must consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Echinacea Angustifolia is a standardized chemical allergen and plant extract used primarily in diagnostic allergy testing and immunotherapy. It belongs to the class of non-standardized plant allergenic extracts and is regulated for its immunomodulatory properties.
Dosage for Echinacea Angustifolia is highly specialized and depends entirely on the intended use and the specific formulation provided by the manufacturer.
Echinacea Angustifolia is not routinely approved for pediatric use in the form of allergenic extracts without specialized pediatric allergy consultation.
No specific dosage adjustments are provided in the manufacturer labeling for patients with renal impairment when using allergenic extracts. However, since metabolites are renally excreted, patients with Stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease should be monitored closely for systemic toxicity if taking high-dose oral preparations.
Caution is advised in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) due to the involvement of the CYP450 enzyme system in the metabolism of alkylamides. Healthcare providers may consider lower starting doses for oral therapy.
Geriatric patients may have a diminished wheal and flare response during diagnostic testing. Dosage for immunotherapy should be approached conservatively, taking into account the patient's cardiovascular health and their ability to tolerate a systemic reaction or the administration of epinephrine.
If a dose of immunotherapy is missed, do not double the next dose. Contact your allergist immediately. Depending on the length of the delay, the dose may need to be reduced to prevent a systemic reaction upon resumption. For oral supplements, if a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered, unless it is nearly time for the next dose.
Signs of overdose with Echinacea Angustifolia extracts primarily manifest as severe systemic allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). Symptoms include:
In the event of an overdose or systemic reaction, emergency medical services must be contacted immediately. Treatment involves the administration of intramuscular epinephrine and supportive care.
> Important: Follow your healthcare provider's dosing instructions. Do not adjust your dose without medical guidance.
When Echinacea Angustifolia is used as an allergenic extract for testing or therapy, local reactions are the most frequent occurrence. These are generally expected and indicate the drug is interacting with the immune system.
> Warning: Stop taking Echinacea Angustifolia and call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms, which may indicate a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Long-term use of Echinacea Angustifolia (particularly oral forms) for more than 8 weeks is generally discouraged. Potential long-term effects include:
No FDA black box warnings currently exist for Echinacea Angustifolia. However, all allergenic extracts carry a general class warning regarding the risk of severe systemic reactions and the necessity of administration by trained personnel in a facility equipped for emergencies.
Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider. Monitoring for late-phase reactions (occurring several hours after treatment) is essential for patient safety.
Echinacea Angustifolia is a potent immunomodulatory agent. Patients must be aware that its use in clinical allergy settings carries an inherent risk of systemic hypersensitivity. It is not a 'simple herb' when used as a standardized extract; it is a biological product that interacts deeply with the immune system's signaling pathways.
No FDA black box warnings for Echinacea Angustifolia. However, clinicians often treat allergenic extracts with the same level of caution as drugs with black box warnings due to the unpredictable nature of anaphylaxis.
Echinacea Angustifolia generally does not cause sedation. However, if a patient experiences a systemic reaction or receives epinephrine, they should not drive or operate machinery until they have fully recovered and been cleared by a physician.
There are no direct contraindications regarding alcohol use and Echinacea Angustifolia. However, alcohol can cause vasodilation, which might theoretically increase the rate of absorption of an injected extract or mask early signs of an allergic reaction. It is best to avoid alcohol on the day of allergy testing or immunotherapy.
Oral Echinacea should be tapered if used for more than a few weeks, although a formal withdrawal syndrome has not been established. In immunotherapy, if treatment is discontinued for a period (e.g., due to illness), the dose must be significantly reduced when restarting to ensure safety.
> Important: Discuss all your medical conditions with your healthcare provider before starting Echinacea Angustifolia, especially if you have a history of severe allergies or immune system disorders.
For each major interaction, the management strategy usually involves either avoiding the combination or performing more frequent clinical monitoring. For example, in the case of beta-blockers, the physician must weigh the necessity of the beta-blocker against the risk of immunotherapy.
> Important: Tell your doctor about ALL medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking. A complete medication reconciliation is vital for safety.
Echinacea Angustifolia must NEVER be used in the following circumstances:
Conditions requiring careful risk-benefit analysis include:
Patients allergic to other members of the Asteraceae family (e.g., Ragweed) are at a high risk of cross-reactivity with Echinacea Angustifolia. If you have a known allergy to sunflowers or chamomile, you must inform your doctor before any testing or treatment with Echinacea-derived products.
> Important: Your healthcare provider will evaluate your complete medical history before prescribing Echinacea Angustifolia. Ensure you disclose all past allergic reactions.
Echinacea Angustifolia is generally classified as Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Animal reproduction studies are also lacking.
It is unknown whether the constituents of Echinacea Angustifolia are excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in milk and the potential for allergic sensitization in the infant exists, caution should be exercised. Most experts suggest that short-term use of oral supplements is likely low risk, but clinical allergenic extracts should be used only if clearly needed.
There are no formal guidelines for dose adjustment in renal impairment for allergenic extracts. For oral forms, patients with a GFR < 30 mL/min should use the drug with caution due to the potential accumulation of caffeic acid derivatives and alkylamides.
In patients with Child-Pugh Class B or C hepatic impairment, the metabolism of alkylamides may be significantly reduced. These patients should be monitored for signs of systemic toxicity, such as persistent nausea or unusual fatigue.
> Important: Special populations require individualized medical assessment. Always consult with a specialist before starting treatment in these groups.
Echinacea Angustifolia acts as a complex biological modifier. Its primary molecular targets include:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Bioavailability | 5-10% (Oral Polysaccharides); ~60% (Oral Alkylamides) |
| Protein Binding | 70-85% (Alkylamides) |
| Half-life | 1.5 - 3.0 hours |
| Tmax | 0.5 - 1.0 hours |
| Metabolism | Hepatic (CYP3A4, CYP2C19) |
| Excretion | Renal (primarily as metabolites) |
Echinacea Angustifolia is categorized as a Standardized Chemical Allergen [EPC]. It is related to other allergenic extracts such as Echinacea Purpurea, Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Ragweed), and various grass pollens used in immunotherapy.
Common questions about D-78
Echinacea Angustifolia is primarily used in clinical settings as an allergenic extract for diagnostic skin testing and as part of immunotherapy for patients with specific plant allergies. It is also widely used off-label as an oral herbal supplement to help reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms and upper respiratory infections. In the context of professional pharmacology, it is classified as a standardized allergen used to identify and treat hypersensitivity. Healthcare providers may also use it to study immune system responses due to its known effects on macrophage activity. Always consult a doctor before using it for any medical purpose.
The most common side effects depend on how the drug is administered. When used as an injection for allergy testing or therapy, local reactions like redness, itching, and swelling at the injection site are very frequent. If taken orally, common side effects include a temporary tingling or numbing sensation on the tongue, mild nausea, and stomach discomfort. Some patients may also experience a mild headache or a transient feeling of fatigue. While these are usually mild, any sign of a spreading rash or difficulty breathing should be reported to a healthcare professional immediately.
There is no direct chemical interaction between alcohol and Echinacea Angustifolia that is known to be dangerous. However, alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate, which might increase the speed at which an injected allergen is absorbed into the bloodstream, potentially increasing the risk of a systemic reaction. Alcohol can also mask early symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as dizziness or flushing. For these reasons, doctors generally recommend avoiding alcohol on the day of allergy testing or immunotherapy injections. Always follow the specific guidance provided by your allergist.
Echinacea Angustifolia is generally not recommended during pregnancy unless a physician determines that the benefits significantly outweigh the potential risks. It is classified as FDA Category C, meaning there is insufficient data from human studies to guarantee its safety for the developing fetus. The primary concern with using allergenic extracts during pregnancy is the risk of anaphylaxis, which can lead to a dangerous drop in oxygen levels for the baby. Most doctors will not start new immunotherapy during pregnancy for this reason. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, discuss your allergy treatment plan with your obstetrician and allergist.
The time it takes for Echinacea Angustifolia to work depends on the intended clinical goal. For diagnostic allergy testing, the results are visible within 15 to 20 minutes in the form of a skin reaction. When used as an oral supplement for cold symptoms, it is most effective if started within the first 24 hours of symptom onset, with benefits usually appearing after 48 hours of consistent use. For immunotherapy (allergy shots), it can take several months of weekly injections before a patient notices a significant reduction in their allergy symptoms. Consistency and proper timing are critical for the effectiveness of this agent.
If you are taking Echinacea Angustifolia as an oral supplement, you can generally stop taking it suddenly without experiencing a withdrawal syndrome. However, it is usually recommended not to take oral Echinacea for more than 8 to 10 consecutive days. If you are receiving Echinacea Angustifolia as part of an immunotherapy program, stopping suddenly can disrupt your desensitization schedule. If you miss multiple injections and then try to restart at your previous dose, you may be at a much higher risk for a severe allergic reaction. Always consult your allergist before interrupting or stopping an immunotherapy regimen.
If you miss a dose of an oral Echinacea supplement, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. For missed immunotherapy injections, the situation is more complex. You should contact your allergy clinic immediately to reschedule. Depending on how much time has passed since your last injection, your doctor may need to reduce your dose for the next session to ensure your safety. Never attempt to 'make up' for a missed immunotherapy dose by taking more at once, as this significantly increases the risk of anaphylaxis.
There is currently no clinical evidence to suggest that Echinacea Angustifolia causes weight gain. It does not contain calories in significant amounts, nor does it affect the metabolic hormones typically associated with weight changes, such as insulin or cortisol. If you experience sudden weight gain or swelling while taking this medication, it is more likely to be related to another underlying condition or a different medication. However, if the weight gain is accompanied by swelling of the face or extremities, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction or another medical issue that requires evaluation by a healthcare provider.
Echinacea Angustifolia can interact with several types of medications, so it should only be used after a full review of your current prescriptions. It is particularly known to interact with immunosuppressants, as it may reduce their effectiveness by stimulating the immune system. It can also affect how the liver processes certain drugs by interacting with the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. This can lead to higher levels of medications like lovastatin or certain anti-anxiety drugs in your blood. Always provide your doctor with a complete list of all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and other herbal supplements, to avoid dangerous interactions.
Echinacea Angustifolia is a biological product and a botanical extract, so the concept of 'generic' vs. 'brand name' is slightly different than with synthetic drugs. It is available from various manufacturers as a standardized allergenic extract and as a generic herbal supplement. However, because these products are biological, extracts from different manufacturers may not be identical in potency or composition. For allergy treatment, it is usually recommended to stay with the same manufacturer's product throughout your course of therapy to ensure consistent dosing. Always check the label for the specific species and concentration.
Other drugs with the same active ingredient (Echinacea Angustifolia)