Allergy shots for asthma may help prevent your immune system from overreacting to exposure to an allergen. This may reduce the risk of a severe asthma attack if you have allergic asthma.

Asthma shots refer to asthma treatments that can be administered via injection. There are several types of asthma shots, including immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and epinephrine injections.

This article will focus on immunotherapy for asthma. Immunotherapy is a type of allergy shot that may help prevent or reduce the severity of asthma attacks caused by allergens.

Learn more about what asthma shots are, how they work, and the possible benefits and risks.

Immunotherapy for allergic asthma involves gradually exposing you to a small amount of the substance that triggers a reaction in your immune system (an allergen) to help desensitize you to its effects.

This is a type of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) because treatment is done via injection.

After receiving an injection with the allergen, your immune system will begin to make non-allergic antibodies against this allergen, preventing your body from mounting an immune response that causes allergic symptoms in the future.

Some common triggers of allergic asthma are:

  • dust mites
  • pet dander
  • pollen
  • mold spores
  • cockroaches

The process of developing a tolerance to these allergens takes time, and immunotherapy doesn’t work the same for every person. It depends on the response created by your individual immune system.

If you’re living with asthma, you’ll most likely experience symptoms when exposed to a specific trigger, allergen, or infection. For some people, asthma attacks may be life threatening.

Immunotherapy for asthma may help prevent or reduce the severity of asthma attacks, which could also prevent the need for emergency treatments.

According to a 2024 review, asthma shots may also help people with allergic asthma stay in remission, a period of no asthma symptoms.

It can take as long as 1 year to develop a therapeutic response to allergen immunotherapy, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

Your body’s reaction to immunotherapy injections is divided into two phases:

  • Buildup phase (1 to 12 months): In this phase, you’re injected with gradually increased amounts of an allergen to help your body build antibodies to particular allergens.
  • Maintenance phase (3 to 5 years): After you’ve reached a therapeutic level of immunity to a particular allergen, you need to continue treatment to maintain protection. Injections are less frequent during this phase, but the exact interval will be determined by your doctor.

A healthcare professional will work with you to help determine how often you need to receive immunotherapy shots for asthma.

According to the AAAAI, the frequency of asthma shots will depend on which immunization phase you’re in:

  • Buildup phase: one or two shots weekly
  • Maintenance phase: one shot every 4 to 6 weeks

It can take several months to reach a maintenance level. Maintenance treatment usually continues for 3 to 5 years. After that, you may have developed the desired immunity to your allergens and no longer need the treatment.

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It’s common for asthma and allergy shots to cause some mild side effects. In fact, up to 1 in 2 people experience mild symptoms after receiving an allergy shot.

Some possible symptoms may include:

  • a local reaction at the injection site, including skin discoloration, itching, and swelling
  • mild asthma symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing
  • sneezing
  • watery eyes

In rare cases, immunotherapy may cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. A doctor will often observe you for a period after your injection to keep an eye out for these reactions.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

  • throat and tongue swelling
  • chest tightness or pain
  • rapid heartbeat
  • difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • dizziness or fainting
  • blue, pale, or grey-ish skin

Medications used to treat asthma attacks are known as reliever, or “rescue,” medications. These are short-acting bronchodilators that are inhaled using an inhaler to help open your inflamed airways and make breathing easier.

If you have allergic asthma and are at risk of anaphylaxis, a doctor may write a prescription for EpiPen. This is an injectable pen that delivers epinephrine subcutaneously to quickly relieve severe allergic asthma attacks.

Are there alternatives to shot-based asthma treatments?

If the idea of regular shots is off-putting or stressful for you, there are other options available.

In addition to traditional asthma treatments, consider asking a doctor about sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). This treatment is taken orally, under the tongue, and is sometimes called “allergy drops.”

The annual cost of injectable asthma (allergy) immunotherapy (SCIT) is about $1,722 per year. Sublingual formulas (SLIT), which involve placing the drug under your tongue, may offer cost savings at an estimated $670 per year.

Immunotherapy is usually more cost-effective than treating asthma attacks that would have occurred without the treatment.

Are asthma shots covered by insurance or Medicare?

Many private health insurance companies cover at least part of the cost of allergy shots. Up to 80% of allergy shot costs may be covered by Medicare under Part B coverage.

If you don’t have insurance, consider speaking to a doctor about payment plans or discount options for self-payers.

Allergy shots aren’t just for people with asthma; they can be used in people with other forms of allergic reactions, too. According to the AAAAI, immunotherapy shots for allergies can be used in children and adults with:

Allergy shots are not used to treat food allergies, because these allergies function differently.

There are two main types of injections for asthma.

Immunotherapy injections help reduce the severity of asthma attacks triggered by allergens. Monoclonal antibody (biologic) injections target harmful proteins that cause inflammation and attack the healthy lining of your lungs.

Dupixent (dupilumab) is a monoclonal antibody medication that can be used in combination with other drugs to help treat eosinophilic asthma.

Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy that can help desensitize you to your asthma attack triggers. These shots take time to build up in your system but are very effective at reducing severe complications from your condition.

A doctor can help you decide if allergy shots are the best treatment plan for you.