MOBILE VIEW  | 

BEE POLLEN

Classification   |    Detailed evidence-based information

Therapeutic Toxic Class

    A) Bee pollen is plant pollens collected by worker bees combined with plant nectar and bee saliva. This material is compacted into pellets which are used as food for drone bees. It is made up of the following: protein (30%), carbohydrates (55%), fat (1% to 2%), minerals (3%), trace vitamins. Promotional literature cites approximately 100 amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other compounds .

Specific Substances

    1) Bee pollen
    2) Plant pollen
    3) POLLEN, BEE

Available Forms Sources

    A) FORMS
    1) Bee pollen is sold in several forms, including loose granules, tablets, and capsules in combinations with vitamin E.
    B) SOURCES
    1) Bee pollen is the pelleted form of various plant pollens, plant nectar and bee saliva.
    2) Bee pollen is made up of the following: protein (30%), carbohydrates (55%), fat (1% to 2%), minerals (3%), trace vitamins. Promotional literature cites approximately 100 amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other compounds (Anon, 1995).
    C) USES
    1) It is used as food for drone bees. It is gathered commercially by forcing the bees to enter the hive past a wire mesh which partially obstructs the hive entrance. The material is then brushed from their hind legs into a container for collection (Anon, 1995).
    2) Supplements containing bee pollen are marketed for various uses, including increasing energy, enhancing athletic stamina and strength, a pollen and spore antidote during allergy season, and as an aid in respiratory complaints (eg, bronchitis, sinus congestion, rhinitis) (Ulbricht et al, 2009; Anon, 1995; Lin et al, 1989).
    3) Bee pollen has been recommended as a method of oral hyposensitization (Anon, 1986).
    4) Marshall (1983) discusses the US government's proposals that bee pollen was used as a vehicle to disperse the biochemical warfare cytotoxin T-2 in Asia and Afghanistan. There is still no definitive answer as to whether or not bee pollen was used in this manner.

Life Support

    A) This overview assumes that basic life support measures have been instituted.

Clinical Effects

    0.2.1) SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE
    A) USES: Bee pollen is the pelleted form of various plant pollens, plant nectar and bee saliva, collected by worker bees and used as food for drone bees. Bee pollen is made up of the following: protein (30%), carbohydrates (55%), fat (1% to 2%), minerals (3%), trace vitamins. As a dietary supplement, bee pollen is available in several forms, including loose granules, tablets, and capsules in combinations with vitamin E, and is marketed for various uses, including increasing energy, enhancing athletic stamina and strength, a pollen and spore antidote during allergy season, and as an aid in respiratory complaints (eg, bronchitis, sinus congestion, rhinitis).
    B) TOXICOLOGY: Bee pollen supplements may contain airborne pollen from grasses and plants. It is suggested that the presence of these airborne pollens may contribute to the development of allergic reactions in individuals who are taking bee pollen and are sensitized to the airborne pollen.
    C) EPIDEMIOLOGY: Nutritional supplements containing bee pollen are widely used in Europe, Asia, and North America; however, toxicity is rare.
    D) WITH THERAPEUTIC USE
    1) COMMON: Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are the most commonly reported adverse events following therapeutic administration.
    2) RARE: Acute renal failure and hypereosinophilia, associated with neurologic (ie, malaise, headache, and decreased memory) and gastrointestinal effects (ie, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), have rarely occurred following bee pollen supplement ingestions.

Laboratory Monitoring

    A) No specific laboratory tests are necessary unless otherwise clinically indicated.
    B) Individuals who plan on taking bee pollen should be aware of the potential for allergic reactions. Allergy testing should be considered.

Treatment Overview

    0.4.2) ORAL/PARENTERAL EXPOSURE
    A) MANAGEMENT OF MILD TO MODERATE TOXICITY
    1) Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
    B) MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE TOXICITY
    1) Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. In patients with acute allergic reaction, oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, diphenhydramine, corticosteroids, vasopressors and epinephrine may be required.
    C) DECONTAMINATION
    1) PREHOSPITAL: Decontamination is generally NOT required.
    2) HOSPITAL: Decontamination is generally NOT required. Consider activated charcoal in those with significant coingestants.
    D) AIRWAY MANAGEMENT
    1) Ensure adequate ventilation and perform endotracheal intubation early in patients with severe allergic reactions.
    E) ANTIDOTE
    1) None.
    F) ENHANCED ELIMINATION PROCEDURE
    1) Enhanced elimination, including hemodialysis, is not anticipated to be necessary.
    G) PATIENT DISPOSITION
    1) HOME CRITERIA: An asymptomatic adult or child with an inadvertent minor exposure (eg, a single dietary supplement ingested by a young child) may be monitored at home.
    2) OBSERVATION CRITERIA: Patients with a deliberate self-harm ingestion should be evaluated in a healthcare facility and monitored for symptoms. Patients may be discharged to home, if no symptoms develop.
    3) ADMISSION CRITERIA: Patients with persistent symptoms should be admitted for further treatment.
    4) CONSULT CRITERIA: Contact a medical toxicologist or poison center for assistance in managing patients with severe toxicity or in whom the diagnosis is unclear. Patients with a deliberate self-harm ingestion should be evaluated by a mental health specialist.
    H) PITFALLS
    1) When managing a suspected overdose, the possibility of multidrug involvement should be considered. Lack of adequate history to determine other coingestants.

Range Of Toxicity

    A) TOXICITY: A specific toxic dose has not been established. Reaction to bee pollen does not appear to be a direct toxic effect, but is typically an allergic reaction, and in general the dose administered has no direct relationship to the symptoms seen; however, in one case, cumulative doses of a bee pollen supplement in an adult (up to a maximum cumulative dose of 18 teaspoonfuls) resulted in the development of hypereosinophilia with associated neurologic and gastrointestinal effects.

Summary Of Exposure

    A) USES: Bee pollen is the pelleted form of various plant pollens, plant nectar and bee saliva, collected by worker bees and used as food for drone bees. Bee pollen is made up of the following: protein (30%), carbohydrates (55%), fat (1% to 2%), minerals (3%), trace vitamins. As a dietary supplement, bee pollen is available in several forms, including loose granules, tablets, and capsules in combinations with vitamin E, and is marketed for various uses, including increasing energy, enhancing athletic stamina and strength, a pollen and spore antidote during allergy season, and as an aid in respiratory complaints (eg, bronchitis, sinus congestion, rhinitis).
    B) TOXICOLOGY: Bee pollen supplements may contain airborne pollen from grasses and plants. It is suggested that the presence of these airborne pollens may contribute to the development of allergic reactions in individuals who are taking bee pollen and are sensitized to the airborne pollen.
    C) EPIDEMIOLOGY: Nutritional supplements containing bee pollen are widely used in Europe, Asia, and North America; however, toxicity is rare.
    D) WITH THERAPEUTIC USE
    1) COMMON: Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are the most commonly reported adverse events following therapeutic administration.
    2) RARE: Acute renal failure and hypereosinophilia, associated with neurologic (ie, malaise, headache, and decreased memory) and gastrointestinal effects (ie, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), have rarely occurred following bee pollen supplement ingestions.

Heent

    3.4.2) HEAD
    A) CASE REPORT: Angioneurotic edema was seen in a 46-year-old approximately thirty minutes after ingestion of a bee pollen containing product (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981).
    3.4.5) NOSE
    A) CASE REPORT: Paroxysms of sneezing developed in one patient fifteen minutes post ingestion of bee pollen (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981).

Respiratory

    3.6.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) DYSPNEA
    1) Dyspnea developed thirty minutes after ingestion in one patient (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981), and had been reported by other authors (Cohen et al, 1979).

Neurologic

    3.7.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) DIZZINESS
    1) Lightheadedness developed thirty minutes after ingestion (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981).

Genitourinary

    3.10.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) ACUTE RENAL FAILURE SYNDROME
    1) WITH THERAPEUTIC USE
    a) CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old man developed generalized pruritus, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, anuria, and edema resulting in a 20 kg weight gain, approximately 5 months after beginning ingesting a nutritional supplement containing bee pollen, noni, orbital, omega 3 EPA, respiral, and maximol. Laboratory data revealed an elevated WBC count (14,640 mcL [normal, 4000 to 9000 mcL], a serum creatinine of 3.3 mg/dL (normal, 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL), and a BUN of 84 mg/dL (normal, 8 to 20 mg/dL). An abdominal CT showed both kidneys with ill-defined borders and an increase in the density of perirenal fat tissue, suggesting acute pyelonephritis. A renal biopsy indicated the presence of eosinophils interstitially with edema and fibrosis, suggesting drug-induced acute renal failure due to interstitial renal nephritis. The drug lymphocyte stimulating test was positive for bee pollen at 179% (normal range is less than 170%), indicating that the patient's acute renal failure due to interstitial renal nephritis was secondary to long-term ingestion of bee pollen contained within the nutritional supplement. With cessation of the supplement and administration of supportive therapy, including intermittent hemodialysis sessions (3 times per week for 3 hours per session), the patient improved with normalization of lab values and was discharged. However, he later developed stage II chronic renal failure (Akiyasu et al, 2010).

Hematologic

    3.13.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) EOSINOPHILIC DISORDER
    1) WITH THERAPEUTIC USE
    a) CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old woman developed a headache, malaise, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, myalgia, generalized pruritus, disorientation, and decreased memory approximately 3 weeks after beginning ingesting bee pollen to increase her energy. Approximately 6 weeks after beginning bee pollen ingestion, laboratory data revealed hypereosinophilia (maximum eosinophil count of 13,400 cells/mm3). A complete blood count indicated a hemoglobin concentration of 12.2 g/dL and a WBC count of 19,200 cells/mm3 with 11% neutrophils, 19% lymphocytes, and 70% eosinophils. Six days after cessation of the bee pollen, the patient's hemoglobin concentration decreased to 11.1 g/dL and her WBC count was 9500 cells/mm3 with 19% neutrophils, 40% lymphocytes, and 32% eosinophils. Over the next 2 weeks, the patient's signs and symptoms spontaneously resolved. A skin prick test with the patient's bee pollen was positive, and patient experienced malaise with an increase in her eosinophil count (1342 to 1872) 15 hours later. Rechallenge with the bee pollen 2 months following hospital discharge resulted in the development of malaise, nasal congestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, generalized pruritus and hypereosinophilia following cumulative doses of bee pollen (up to a maximum dose of 18 teaspoonfuls). The patient's symptoms resolved approximately 36 hours after the challenge was terminated (Lin et al, 1989).

Dermatologic

    3.14.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) ANGIOEDEMA
    1) Angioneurotic edema developed 30 minutes after ingestion (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981).
    B) ITCHING OF SKIN
    1) CASE REPORT: Itching developed in a 46-year-old after ingesting bee pollen (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981).
    C) URTICARIA
    1) Urticaria was seen thirty minutes after ingestion of a bee pollen (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981) (Cohen et al, 1979).

Immunologic

    3.19.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) ANAPHYLACTOID REACTION
    1) Anaphylaxis may occur in individuals sensitive to the pollens in bee pollen. Urticaria, itching, angioneurotic edema, and dyspnea have all been reported during these reactions (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981; Anon, 1995; Greenberger & Flais, 2001).
    2) CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old woman experienced swelling of her eyelids, lips, and throat, dysphagia, hives, and dyspnea approximately 10 minutes after taking a second dose of bee pollen, omega 3-6-9 oil, and vitamin D supplements. The patient recovered following administration of IV fluids, epinephrine and diphenhydramine. A skin allergy test was strongly positive for the bee pollen supplement (Jagdis & Sussman, 2012).

Monitoring Parameters Levels

    4.1.1) SUMMARY
    A) No specific laboratory tests are necessary unless otherwise clinically indicated.
    B) Individuals who plan on taking bee pollen should be aware of the potential for allergic reactions. Allergy testing should be considered.

Life Support

    A) Support respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Patient Disposition

    6.3.1) DISPOSITION/ORAL EXPOSURE
    6.3.1.1) ADMISSION CRITERIA/ORAL
    A) Patients with persistent symptoms should be admitted for further treatment.
    6.3.1.2) HOME CRITERIA/ORAL
    A) An asymptomatic adult or child with an inadvertent minor exposure (eg, a single dietary supplement ingested by a young child) may be monitored at home.
    6.3.1.3) CONSULT CRITERIA/ORAL
    A) Contact a medical toxicologist or poison center for assistance in managing patients with severe toxicity or in whom the diagnosis is unclear. Patients with a deliberate self-harm ingestion should be evaluated by a mental health specialist.
    6.3.1.5) OBSERVATION CRITERIA/ORAL
    A) Patients with a deliberate self-harm ingestion should be evaluated in a healthcare facility and monitored for symptoms. Patients may be discharged to home, if no symptoms develop.

Monitoring

    A) No specific laboratory tests are necessary unless otherwise clinically indicated.
    B) Individuals who plan on taking bee pollen should be aware of the potential for allergic reactions. Allergy testing should be considered.

Oral Exposure

    6.5.1) PREVENTION OF ABSORPTION/PREHOSPITAL
    A) SUMMARY
    1) Decontamination is generally NOT required. Consider gastric decontamination in a patient with significant coingestants.
    B) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
    1) PREHOSPITAL ACTIVATED CHARCOAL ADMINISTRATION
    a) Consider prehospital administration of activated charcoal as an aqueous slurry in patients with a potentially toxic ingestion who are awake and able to protect their airway. Activated charcoal is most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion. Administration in the prehospital setting has the potential to significantly decrease the time from toxin ingestion to activated charcoal administration, although it has not been shown to affect outcome (Alaspaa et al, 2005; Thakore & Murphy, 2002; Spiller & Rogers, 2002).
    1) In patients who are at risk for the abrupt onset of seizures or mental status depression, activated charcoal should not be administered in the prehospital setting, due to the risk of aspiration in the event of spontaneous emesis.
    2) The addition of flavoring agents (cola drinks, chocolate milk, cherry syrup) to activated charcoal improves the palatability for children and may facilitate successful administration (Guenther Skokan et al, 2001; Dagnone et al, 2002).
    2) CHARCOAL DOSE
    a) Use a minimum of 240 milliliters of water per 30 grams charcoal (FDA, 1985). Optimum dose not established; usual dose is 25 to 100 grams in adults and adolescents; 25 to 50 grams in children aged 1 to 12 years (or 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram body weight) ; and 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram in infants up to 1 year old (Chyka et al, 2005).
    1) Routine use of a cathartic with activated charcoal is NOT recommended as there is no evidence that cathartics reduce drug absorption and cathartics are known to cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances and occasionally hypotension (None Listed, 2004).
    b) ADVERSE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS
    1) Complications: emesis, aspiration (Chyka et al, 2005). Aspiration may be complicated by acute respiratory failure, ARDS, bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic lung disease (Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002; Pollack et al, 1981; Harris & Filandrinos, 1993; Elliot et al, 1989; Rau et al, 1988; Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002). Refer to the ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/TREATMENT management for further information.
    2) Contraindications: unprotected airway (increases risk/severity of aspiration) , nonfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, uncontrolled vomiting, and ingestion of most hydrocarbons (Chyka et al, 2005).
    6.5.2) PREVENTION OF ABSORPTION
    A) SUMMARY
    1) Decontamination is generally NOT required. Consider activated charcoal in with a patient with significant coingestants.
    B) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
    1) CHARCOAL ADMINISTRATION
    a) Consider administration of activated charcoal after a potentially toxic ingestion (Chyka et al, 2005). Administer charcoal as an aqueous slurry; most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion.
    2) CHARCOAL DOSE
    a) Use a minimum of 240 milliliters of water per 30 grams charcoal (FDA, 1985). Optimum dose not established; usual dose is 25 to 100 grams in adults and adolescents; 25 to 50 grams in children aged 1 to 12 years (or 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram body weight) ; and 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram in infants up to 1 year old (Chyka et al, 2005).
    1) Routine use of a cathartic with activated charcoal is NOT recommended as there is no evidence that cathartics reduce drug absorption and cathartics are known to cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances and occasionally hypotension (None Listed, 2004).
    b) ADVERSE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS
    1) Complications: emesis, aspiration (Chyka et al, 2005). Aspiration may be complicated by acute respiratory failure, ARDS, bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic lung disease (Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002; Pollack et al, 1981; Harris & Filandrinos, 1993; Elliot et al, 1989; Rau et al, 1988; Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002). Refer to the ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/TREATMENT management for further information.
    2) Contraindications: unprotected airway (increases risk/severity of aspiration) , nonfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, uncontrolled vomiting, and ingestion of most hydrocarbons (Chyka et al, 2005).
    6.5.3) TREATMENT
    A) SUPPORT
    1) MANAGEMENT OF MILD TO MODERATE TOXICITY
    a) Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
    2) MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE TOXICITY
    a) Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. In patients with acute allergic reaction, oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, diphenhydramine, corticosteroids, vasopressors and epinephrine may be required.
    B) MONITORING OF PATIENT
    1) No specific laboratory tests are necessary unless otherwise clinically indicated.
    2) Individuals who plan on taking bee pollen should be aware of the potential for allergic reactions. Allergy testing should be considered.
    C) ACUTE ALLERGIC REACTION
    1) SUMMARY
    a) Mild to moderate allergic reactions may be treated with antihistamines with or without inhaled beta adrenergic agonists, corticosteroids or epinephrine. Treatment of severe anaphylaxis also includes oxygen supplementation, aggressive airway management, epinephrine, ECG monitoring, and IV fluids.
    2) BRONCHOSPASM
    a) ALBUTEROL
    1) ADULT: 2.5 to 5 milligrams in 2 to 4.5 milliliters of normal saline delivered per nebulizer every 20 minutes up to 3 doses. If incomplete response administer 2.5 to 10 mg every 1 to 4 hours as needed, or 10 to 15 mg/hr by continuous nebulization as needed (National Heart,Lung,and Blood Institute, 2007). CHILD: 0.15 milligram/kilogram (minimum 2.5 milligrams) per nebulizer every 20 minutes up to 3 doses. If incomplete response administer 0.15 to 0.3 mg/kg (up to 10 mg) every 1 to 4 hours as needed, or 0.5 mg/kg/hr by continuous nebulization (National Heart,Lung,and Blood Institute, 2007).
    3) CORTICOSTEROIDS
    a) Consider systemic corticosteroids in patients with significant bronchospasm.
    b) PREDNISONE: ADULT: 40 to 80 milligrams/day. CHILD: 1 to 2 milligrams/kilogram/day (maximum 60 mg) in 1 to 2 divided doses divided twice daily (National Heart,Lung,and Blood Institute, 2007).
    4) MILD CASES
    a) DIPHENHYDRAMINE
    1) SUMMARY: Oral diphenhydramine, as well as other H1 antihistamines can be used as indicated (Lieberman et al, 2010).
    2) ADULT: 50 milligrams orally, or 10 to 50 mg intravenously at a rate not to exceed 25 mg/min or may be given by deep intramuscular injection. A total of 100 mg may be administered if needed. Maximum daily dosage is 400 mg (Prod Info diphenhydramine HCl intravenous injection solution, intramuscular injection solution, 2013).
    3) CHILD: 5 mg/kg/24 hours or 150 mg/m(2)/24 hours. Divided into 4 doses, administered intravenously at a rate not exceeding 25 mg/min or by deep intramuscular injection. Maximum daily dosage is 300 mg (Prod Info diphenhydramine HCl intravenous injection solution, intramuscular injection solution, 2013).
    5) MODERATE CASES
    a) EPINEPHRINE: INJECTABLE SOLUTION: It should be administered early in patients by IM injection. Using a 1:1000 (1 mg/mL) solution of epinephrine. Initial Dose: 0.01 mg/kg intramuscularly with a maximum dose of 0.5 mg in adults and 0.3 mg in children. The dose may be repeated every 5 to 15 minutes, if no clinical improvement. Most patients respond to 1 or 2 doses (Nowak & Macias, 2014).
    6) SEVERE CASES
    a) EPINEPHRINE
    1) INTRAVENOUS BOLUS: ADULT: 1 mg intravenously as a 1:10,000 (0.1 mg/mL) solution; CHILD: 0.01 mL/kg intravenously to a maximum single dose of 1 mg given as a 1:10,000 (0.1 mg/mL) solution. It can be repeated every 3 to 5 minutes as needed. The dose can also be given by the intraosseous route if IV access cannot be established (Lieberman et al, 2015). ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: ENDOTRACHEAL ADMINISTRATION: If IV/IO access is unavailable. DOSE: ADULT: Administer 2 to 2.5 mg of 1:1000 (1 mg/mL) solution diluted in 5 to 10 mL of sterile water via endotracheal tube. CHILD: DOSE: 0.1 mg/kg to a maximum of 2.5 mg administered as a 1:1000 (1 mg/mL) solution diluted in 5 to 10 mL of sterile water via endotracheal tube (Lieberman et al, 2015).
    2) INTRAVENOUS INFUSION: Intravenous administration may be considered in patients poorly responsive to IM or SubQ epinephrine. An epinephrine infusion may be prepared by adding 1 mg (1 mL of 1:1000 (1 mg/mL) solution) to 250 mL D5W, yielding a concentration of 4 mcg/mL, and infuse this solution IV at a rate of 1 mcg/min to 10 mcg/min (maximum rate). CHILD: A dosage of 0.01 mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg of a 1:10,000 (0.1 mg/mL) solution up to 10 mcg/min (maximum dose 0.3 mg) is recommended for children (Lieberman et al, 2010). Careful titration of a continuous infusion of IV epinephrine, based on the severity of the reaction, along with a crystalloid infusion can be considered in the treatment of anaphylactic shock. It appears to be a reasonable alternative to IV boluses, if the patient is not in cardiac arrest (Vanden Hoek,TL,et al).
    7) AIRWAY MANAGEMENT
    a) OXYGEN: 5 to 10 liters/minute via high flow mask.
    b) INTUBATION: Perform early if any stridor or signs of airway obstruction.
    c) CRICOTHYROTOMY: Use if unable to intubate with complete airway obstruction (Vanden Hoek,TL,et al).
    d) BRONCHODILATORS are recommended for mild to severe bronchospasm.
    e) ALBUTEROL: ADULT: 2.5 to 5 milligrams in 2 to 4.5 milliliters of normal saline delivered per nebulizer every 20 minutes up to 3 doses. If incomplete response administer 2.5 to 10 mg every 1 to 4 hours as needed, or 10 to 15 mg/hr by continuous nebulization as needed (National Heart,Lung,and Blood Institute, 2007).
    f) ALBUTEROL: CHILD: 0.15 milligram/kilogram (minimum 2.5 milligrams) per nebulizer every 20 minutes up to 3 doses. If incomplete response administer 0.15 to 0.3 milligram/kilogram (maximum 10 milligrams) every 1 to 4 hours as needed OR administer 0.5 mg/kg/hr by continuous nebulization (National Heart,Lung,and Blood Institute, 2007).
    8) MONITORING
    a) CARDIAC MONITOR: All complicated cases.
    b) IV ACCESS: Routine in all complicated cases.
    9) HYPOTENSION
    a) If hypotensive give 500 to 2000 milliliters crystalloid initially (20 milliliters/kilogram in children) and titrate to desired effect (stabilization of vital signs, mentation, urine output); adults may require up to 6 to 10 L/24 hours. Central venous or pulmonary artery pressure monitoring is recommended in patients with persistent hypotension.
    1) VASOPRESSORS: Should be used in refractory cases unresponsive to repeated doses of epinephrine and after vigorous intravenous crystalloid rehydration (Lieberman et al, 2010).
    2) DOPAMINE: Initial Dose: 2 to 20 micrograms/kilogram/minute intravenously; titrate to maintain systolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg (Lieberman et al, 2010).
    10) H1 and H2 ANTIHISTAMINES
    a) SUMMARY: Antihistamines are second-line therapy and are used as supportive therapy and should not be used in place of epinephrine (Lieberman et al, 2010).
    1) DIPHENHYDRAMINE: ADULT: 25 to 50 milligrams via a slow intravenous infusion or IM. PEDIATRIC: 1 milligram/kilogram via slow intravenous infusion or IM up to 50 mg in children (Lieberman et al, 2010).
    b) RANITIDINE: ADULT: 1 mg/kg parenterally; CHILD: 12.5 to 50 mg parenterally. If the intravenous route is used, ranitidine should be infused over 10 to 15 minutes or diluted in 5% dextrose to a volume of 20 mL and injected over 5 minutes (Lieberman et al, 2010).
    c) Oral diphenhydramine, as well as other H1 antihistamines, can also be used as indicated (Lieberman et al, 2010).
    11) DYSRHYTHMIAS
    a) Dysrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction may occur primarily or iatrogenically as a result of pharmacologic treatment (epinephrine) (Vanden Hoek,TL,et al). Monitor and correct serum electrolytes, oxygenation and tissue perfusion. Treat with antiarrhythmic agents as indicated.
    12) OTHER THERAPIES
    a) There have been a few reports of patients with anaphylaxis, with or without cardiac arrest, that have responded to vasopressin therapy that did not respond to standard therapy. Although there are no randomized controlled trials, other alternative vasoactive therapies (ie, vasopressin, norepinephrine, methoxamine, and metaraminol) may be considered in patients in cardiac arrest secondary to anaphylaxis that do not respond to epinephrine (Vanden Hoek,TL,et al).

Enhanced Elimination

    A) HEMODIALYSIS
    1) Enhanced elimination, including hemodialysis, is not anticipated to be necessary.

Case Reports

    A) ADULT
    1) A 46-year-old with a case history of allergies purchased "bee pollen" at a local health food store to treat his hay fever. Fifteen minutes after taking a teaspoon of the material he developed paroxysms of sneezing. By one half hour post ingestion the patient had developed generalized angioedema, urticaria, dyspnea, lightheadedness, and wheezing. He was treated first with epinephrine, which relieved the immediate symptoms, then given diphenhydramine and steroids. There was no sequelae (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981).
    2) A 31-year-old woman with a history of rhinitis ingested 1.5 teaspoonfuls of bee pollen. Within 45 minutes she had developed itching of the face and eyes, facial urticaria, dyspnea and lightheadedness. She was given epinephrine and corticosteroids. The reaction subsided over the next several hours (Cohen et al, 1979).

Summary

    A) TOXICITY: A specific toxic dose has not been established. Reaction to bee pollen does not appear to be a direct toxic effect, but is typically an allergic reaction, and in general the dose administered has no direct relationship to the symptoms seen; however, in one case, cumulative doses of a bee pollen supplement in an adult (up to a maximum cumulative dose of 18 teaspoonfuls) resulted in the development of hypereosinophilia with associated neurologic and gastrointestinal effects.

Maximum Tolerated Exposure

    A) SUMMARY
    1) A specific toxic dose has not been established. Reaction to bee pollen does not appear to be a direct toxic effect, but is typically an allergic reaction, and in general the dose administered has no direct relationship to the symptoms seen; however, in one case, cumulative doses of a bee pollen supplement in an adult (up to a maximum cumulative dose of 18 teaspoonfuls) resulted in the development of hypereosinophilia with associated neurologic and gastrointestinal effects (Lin et al, 1989).
    B) CASE REPORT
    1) A 37-year-old woman developed a headache, malaise, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, myalgia, generalized pruritus, disorientation, decreased memory, and hypereosinophilia approximately 3 to 6 weeks after beginning ingesting bee pollen to increase her energy. Over the next 2 weeks after cessation of the bee pollen supplement, the patient's signs and symptoms spontaneously resolved. A skin prick test was positive for bee pollen. The patient was rechallenged with bee pollen approximately 2 months later, starting at a dose of 1 teaspoonful twice daily. After increasing the dose to 2 teaspoonfuls twice daily and a cumulative dose of 6 teaspoonfuls, the patient developed general malaise and nasal congestion. Following a cumulative dose of 8 teaspoonfuls, abdominal pain and diarrhea occurred and her eosinophil count increased to 586. Generalized pruritus and an eosinophil count of 890 occurred following 10 teaspoonfuls of bee pollen. The patient continued to develop worsening symptoms with an increase in dose, up to the maximum tolerated cumulative dose of 18 teaspoonfuls. Approximately 36 hours after termination of the challenge, the patient's symptoms resolved (Lin et al, 1989).

Pharmacologic Mechanism

    A) Although bee pollen is reported in promotional material to increase stamina and athletic abilities, a double-blind study done by Dr. J. Wells in swimmers, showed no beneficial effect.
    1) Another small study, with poor blinding, done on track athletes showed decreased recovery time after exertion (Anon, 1995).

Toxicologic Mechanism

    A) Bee pollen contains pollens from various plants. Allergic reactions have occurred in individuals sensitized to these pollens, especially to the pollen of mesquite (Mansfield & Goldstein, 1981; Novey et al, 1977).
    B) A case-control study was conducted, involving 145 patients with atopy and 57 controls who underwent skin testing to 5 bee pollen extracts and 4 commercial pollen extracts, coming from olive, a mixture of grasses, and mugwort. Positive skin reactions to one or more of the bee pollen extracts were reported in 73% of patients with atopy. There was also a statistically significant correlation between positive skin test reactions to bee pollen extract and skin test reactions to the olive, grass, and mugwort pollens in patients with atopy. Analysis of the bee pollen samples used in this study determined that airborne pollen from entomophilous and anemophilus plants were present, suggesting that the presence of these airborne pollens may contribute to the development of allergic reactions in individuals who are taking bee pollen and are sensitized to the airborne pollen (Jagdis & Sussman, 2012).

General Bibliography

    1) Akiyasu T, Paudyal B, Paudyal P, et al: A case report of acute renal failure associated with bee pollen contained in nutritional supplements. Ther Apher Dial 2010; 14(1):93-97.
    2) Alaspaa AO, Kuisma MJ, Hoppu K, et al: Out-of-hospital administration of activated charcoal by emergency medical services. Ann Emerg Med 2005; 45:207-12.
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