Overview

Bee venom injections are commonly given by a health care provider to diagnose bee venom allergies and to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction to bee stings. Bee venom is also sometimes injected or applied to the skin for other reasons as part of bee venom therapy (BVT), but its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include pain, itching, swelling, or redness. Serious side effects are rare, but bee venom injections or needle pricks may cause allergic reactions or a condition called serum sickness. Before using bee venom, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is bee venom used for?

Bee venom injections are commonly used for the following reasons.

• To diagnose bee venom allergies
• To reduce the risk of an allergic reaction to a bee sting

Bee venom therapy (BVT), which may be given as an injection or applied to the skin, is used for various reasons. But its benefits are not well defined.

Bee venom may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed bee venom dietary supplement products for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does bee venom work (mechanism of action)?

Bee venom is the liquid found on a honeybee’s stinger. Bee venom can cause pain, itching, redness, and swelling after a bee sting. Some people have serious, life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to bee venom.

Bee venom injections may be used to diagnose a bee venom allergy. If you have a bee venom allergy, injecting bee venom into the top layer of your skin will cause a skin reaction. This can help your health care provider know whether you have an allergy to bee venom, other stinging insects, or both.

Bee venom injections may also be used to help reduce your risk of a serious allergic reaction to a bee sting. These injections are known as immunotherapy, or allergy shots. When your body is exposed to very small amounts of bee venom in these shots, it can learn to tolerate the bee venom. Over time, this may help your body tolerate a bee sting without having a serious allergic reaction.

Bee venom is also sometimes used to manage various medical issues, such as pain, joint issues, and immune system problems. This is called bee venom therapy (BVT). BVT can be given in many different ways, including injections, needle pricks, or creams, oils, or patches applied to the skin. Certain chemicals in bee venom, such as melittin and apamin, are known to cause some of the pain and swelling after a bee sting. These same chemicals may cause other effects in the body when used in much smaller amounts. But it is not clear whether or how BVT might work for any medical use.

How is bee venom supplied (dosage forms)?

Bee venom is available over the counter in various strengths and dosage forms. Bee venom is also available as a prescription product in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store bee venom?

Bee venom products should be stored according to the product label. Most dietary supplements and medicines should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight. If you are not sure how to store your product, ask your pharmacist.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of bee venom?

The most common side effects of bee venom are pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the site where it was injected or applied. These side effects may vary depending on the way the product is used. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of bee venom that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of bee venom?

While less common, the most serious side effects of bee venom are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Bee venom may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using bee venom and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Serum Sickness.Bee venom injections or needle pricks can cause a condition called serum sickness, which can be serious. Unlike an allergic reaction, which usually happens within minutes to hours after exposure to bee venom, symptoms of serum sickness may not show up for many days. Contact your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of serum sickness.

• Fever
• Joint pain
• Rash that spreads over large areas of the body

Swelling in your hands, feet, or face

Precautions

Who should not use bee venom?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use bee venom unless it is given by a health care provider in a health care facility.

• Apitoxin
• Bee venom
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific bee venom products they stock.

What should I know about bee venom before using it?

Bee venom may be given as an injection into your skin (intradermal) or under your skin (subcutaneous) by a health care provider in a health care facility.

Bee venom therapy (BVT) products may be applied to the skin or may be given as an injection or a needle prick. Bee venom products that are applied to the skin are cosmetics, which cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep bee venom out of the reach of children.

Your health care provider may use a bee venom injection to see whether you have a bee allergy. To do this test, your health care provider will place a drop of bee venom on your skin and then prick your skin with a needle. Then they will inject the bee venom into the top layer of your skin and measure the amount of redness and swelling around the injection site. This test will be done in a health care facility.

If you are getting bee venom allergy shots, your health care provider will give the injections in a health care facility. They will also train you on how to treat allergic reactions. You may need to have a rescue medicine called epinephrine on hand to treat an allergic reaction to bee venom. Make sure that you or anyone else who may be able to help during an emergency knows where your epinephrine is stored and how to use it.

Some bee venom products, such as creams, patches, and oils, are applied to the skin. Do not place these products on cuts, bruises, or other damaged skin. Keep bee venom away from your mouth and eyes. If you get bee venom in your eyes, wash them right away with water.

The FDA has not tested bee venom products that are applied to the skin to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some cosmetics have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals.

What should I tell my health care provider before using bee venom?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if bee venom is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Allergies to Insect Stings.People who have an allergy to the sting of one insect are more likely to be allergic to other insect stings. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to an insect sting, such as a wasp or hornet, talk to your health care provider before using bee venom.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Asthma or other breathing problems
• An autoimmune condition
• Heart problems

Other Medicines and Supplements.Bee venom may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using bee venom, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how bee venom could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if bee venom passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does bee venom interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between bee venom and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect bee venom.

Does bee venom interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using a beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure.

The interactions between bee venom and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with bee venom is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before using bee venom with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much bee venom?

If you or someone else has used too much bee venom, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of bee venom?

Bee venom injections are given by a health care provider in a health care facility. If you miss a dose, call your health care provider to find out when you should get your next dose.

If you are applying bee venom to your skin at home, follow the instructions on the product you are using. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.