taraxacum officinale pollen extract

Taraxacum officinale pollen extract is a biologic allergenic extract derived from the pollen of the common dandelion (*Taraxacum officinale*). First approved by the FDA in 1965, it is primarily utilized as a diagnostic tool in percutaneous (skin prick) or intradermal testing to identify individuals with hypersensitivity to dandelion pollen. In addition to its diagnostic role, the extract is used in allergen immunotherapy (hyposensitization) to treat allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, or asthma triggered by dandelion exposure. The extract works by introducing specific allergens to the patient's immune system; for diagnosis, this triggers an immediate IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation resulting in a wheal-and-flare reaction, while for therapy, repeated subcutaneous administration aims to induce immunological tolerance and shift the immune response away from a Th2-mediated allergic profile.

Brand names

Greer Allergenic ExtractALK-Abello Allergenic Extract

Other names

Dandelion Pollen ExtractTaraxacum officinale extractDandelion Allergenic Extract