In respect of the  posting entitled "Immune Reactions to Stings" by Nik Mohamed
Abdulmajid <[log in to unmask]>
 
 
FORAPIN has been on the market since 1934 and is manufactured by the Heinrich Mack
Nachf., in Illertissen, Germany. It contains honey bee venom and is available in cream,
liniment and injection forms. It is distributed in eight countries.
    The manufacturer recommends it for arthritis, Sudeck-syndrome, myositis, tendonitis,
bursitis, polyarthritis, spondylitis, sport injuries, etc. (Schluter, et al., 1981).
  There is only one case when the administration of FORAPIN (cream or liniment) was
recommended by the manufacturer for treatment of allergic symptoms. It is documented
by Laurentiu, B. et al., 1976. The paper describes the patient experiencing a strong local
reaction after his/her first injection of bee venom. The manufacturer recommended
continuing the treatment with bee venom cream or liniment and discontinuing the
administration by injection. The patient's sensitivity to bee venom will decrease within a
couple weeks and the treatment by  injection can be resumed. On those days when the
patient does not receive injections, it is recommended to use bee venom cream or liniment
on the affected area.
 
    The use of Forapin for allergy test purposes before the commencement of bee sting
therapy may not be the best means of testing. It is known that the administration of bee
venom in cream or liniment forms does result in the absorption of minute amounts of
venom into the body. This amount can be as small as the quantity used to determine
allergic reactions to venom. Some of the other ingredients in the cream may cause
symptoms similar to bee venom (redness, warm sensation and itchiness). This may confuse
an inexperienced individual starting with bee venom therapy.
    A cream or liniment may not be the best way to determine the sensitivity to bee venom,
but it can lessen the local symptoms during the treatment.
 
 
References
 
Laurentiu, B. et al. (1976) "Apitherapy Products and Their Use" (in Apitherapy Today),
Apimondia Publishing House, Bucharest, Romania (in English, French, Spanish, German
and Hungarian)
 
Schluter, H., Mucke, H.W. and Pietrzik, E. Dr. (1981) Heilkraft aus der Biene fur die
Medizin, Heinrich Mack Nachf. publ., pp. 32 (in German)
 
 
Michael Simics
Apitronic Services
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P.S. FORAPIN cream and other apitherapy aids are available through Apitronic Services
(604)-271-9414.