A panel of allergists and emergency physicians has recommended the use of epinephrine as a first-line defense against anaphylaxis, even if a patient is not showing signs of a severe allergic reaction, according to a Healio.com report.
The panel warned that a delay in epinephrine use could be hazardous and lead to even more severe anaphylaxis, according to the recommendations.
Last November, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) gathered a panel of experts to discuss current knowledge of anaphylaxis, and to recommend strategies to improve medical management of anaphylaxis.
Their recommendations include:
- Epinephrine should also be given to patients at risk for an anaphylactic reaction, whether they had a previous severe reaction or even if they had exposure to an allergic trigger without the development of anaphylaxis symptoms
- Anyone seen in the ED for anaphylaxis should be referred to an allergist to schedule a follow-up visit
- Antihistamines and glucocorticoids should never be used as a substitute to epinephrine, but rather should be used after epinephrine has already been administered.
