Prednisone dosage anaphylaxis.Corticosteroids in management of anaphylaxis; a systematic review of evidence
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A Practical Guide to Anaphylaxis | AAFP - Publication typesPrednisone dosage anaphylaxis.Corticosteroids for treatment of anaphylaxis
As anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, there are no randomized controlled clinical trials on its emergency management. Therefore, current guidelines are mostly based on data from observational studies, animal and laboratory studies. Although epinephrine is the mainstay of recommended treatment, corticosteroids are also frequently used. This review evaluates the evidence on the use of corticosteroids in emergency management of anaphylaxis from published human and animal or laboratories studies.
Thirty original research papers were found with 22 human studies and eight animal or laboratory studies. The average rate of corticosteroid use in emergency treatment was Corticosteroids appear to reduce the length of hospital stay, but did not reduce revisits to the emergency department.
There was no consensus on whether corticosteroids reduce biphasic anaphylactic reactions. None of the human studies had sufficient data to compare the response to treatment in different treatment groups i. Animal studies demonstrated that corticosteroids act through multiple mechanisms. These modulate gene expression, with effects becoming evident 4 to 24 hours after administration. A much quicker response has been detected within 5 to 30 minutes, through blockade of signal activation of glucocorticoid receptors independent of their genomic effects.
Therefore, we conclude that there is no compelling evidence to support or oppose the use of corticosteroid in emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. However, based on the available data, it appears to be beneficial and there was no evidence of adverse outcomes related to the use of corticosteroids in emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. Keywords: Anaphylaxis; allergy; corticosteroids; emergency management; prednisolone. Abstract As anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, there are no randomized controlled clinical trials on its emergency management.
Publication types Systematic Review. Substances Adrenal Cortex Hormones.
❿Corticosteroids in management of anaphylaxis; a systematic review of evidence.Corticosteroids for treatment of anaphylaxis
Animal studies demonstrated that corticosteroids act through multiple mechanisms. These modulate gene expression, with effects becoming evident 4 to 24 hours after administration. A much quicker response has been detected within 5 to 30 minutes, through blockade of signal activation of glucocorticoid receptors independent of their genomic effects.
Therefore, we conclude that there is no compelling evidence to support or oppose the use of corticosteroid in emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. However, based on the available data, it appears to be beneficial and there was no evidence of adverse outcomes related to the use of corticosteroids in emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.
Keywords: Anaphylaxis; allergy; corticosteroids; emergency management; prednisolone. Laboratory testing may help if the diagnosis of anaphylaxis is uncertain. At discharge, the patient should be told to return for any recurrent symptoms.
Some experts advocate a short course of antihistamines with oral corticosteroids e. A patient with a history of anaphylaxis should be instructed on how to initiate treatment for future episodes using pre-loaded epinephrine syringes. Two strengths are available: 0. Training kits containing empty syringes are available for patient education. Family members and care-givers of young children should be trained to inject epinephrine.
Written instructions should be given. The patient also may take an antihistamine at the onset of symptoms. The patient must be told to seek immediate professional help regardless of initial response to self-treatment.
If possible, the patient should avoid taking beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, because these drugs may interfere with successful treatment of future anaphylactic episodes or with the endogenous compensatory responses to hypotension.
Finally, the patient should be advised to wear or carry a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or keychain to inform emergency personnel of the possibility of anaphylaxis. Prevention of future episodes is vital Table 6. This requires identification of the anaphylactic trigger, which is often difficult.
The physician's primary tool is a detailed history of recent exposures to foods, medications, latex, and insects known to cause anaphylaxis. Previous tolerance of a substance does not rule it out as the trigger.
Despite a detailed history, a cause remains elusive in many patients. Direct skin testing and radioallergosorbent testing RAST are available for some antigens, including heterologous sera, Hymenoptera venom, some foods, hormones, and penicillin. Skin testing itself carries a risk of fatal anaphylaxis and should be performed by experienced persons only.
Scratch and prick tests should precede intra-dermal testing to decrease the risk of an unexpected severe reaction. Penicillin skin testing includes major and minor determinants; the minor determinants are more predictive of future anaphylactic events. However, it is limited to the same antigens that are available for skin testing. Both skin testing and RAST have imperfect sensitivity and specificity.
When there is no choice but to re-expose the patient to the anaphylactic trigger, desensitization or pretreatment may be attempted. Desensitization carries a risk of anaphylaxis and should be performed by experienced persons in a well-equipped location. In this procedure, the patient is exposed to gradually increasing amounts of antigen, usually via intradermal, then subcutaneous, then intravenous routes.
Immunotherapy is recommended for insect sting anaphylaxis, because it is 97 percent effective at preventing recurrent severe reactions. In situations where desensitization is not possible, pretreatment with steroids and antihistamines is an option. For a sensitive patient urgently requiring radiocontrast, 50 mg of oral prednisone 13 hours, seven hours, and one hour before contrast plus 50 mg of diphenhydramine one hour before the procedure dramatically reduce the rate of recurrent reaction.
The use of nonionic contrast media provides additional protection. Consultation with an allergist can help 1 confirm the diagnosis of anaphylaxis; 2 identify the anaphylactic trigger through history, skin testing, and RAST; 3 educate the patient in the prevention and initial treatment of future episodes; and 4 aid in desensitization and pretreatment when indicated.
This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference.
This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Specific and idiopathic anaphylaxis: pathophysiology and treatment. In: Bierman W, ed. Allergy, asthma, and immunology, from infancy to adulthood. Philadelphia: W. Clinical Presentation. Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions.
In: Middleton E, ed. Allergy: principles and practice. Differential Diagnosis. Emergency Management. The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis. Place patient in recumbent position and elevate lower extremities. Monitor vital signs frequently every two to five minutes and stay with the patient. Administer epinephrine , weight-based adults: 0.
Administer oxygen, usually 8 to 10 L per minute; lower concentrations may be appropriate for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Maintain airway with an oropharyngeal airway device.
Administer the antihistamine diphenhydramine Benadryl, adults: 25 to 50 mg; children: 1 to 2 mg per kg , usually given parenterally. If anaphylaxis is caused by an injection, administer aqueous epinephrine, 0. The practice of using corticosteroids to treat anaphylaxis appears to have derived from management of acute asthma and croup. Indeed, as you point out, the use of corticosteroids in anaphylaxis has been called into question. A practice parameter update in by Lieberman et al includes an excellent discussion about the topic.
After reviewing the published evidence, the authors state that the use of corticosteroids has no role in the acute management of anaphylaxis. The report notes that the time to onset of corticosteroid effect is too slow to prevent severe outcomes, such as cardiorespiratory arrest or death, which tend to occur within minutes for allergens such as medications, insect stings and foods.
They also state that patients with complete resolution of symptoms after treatment with epinephrine do not need to be prescribed corticosteroids. According to the practice parameter update and another recent review, the evidence that corticosteroids reduce or prevent biphasic reactions is weak. In , Alqurashi and Ellis published a review about whether corticosteroids are useful in acute anaphylaxis and also whether they prevent biphasic reactions. Since randomized controlled studies of these topics are lacking, 31 observational studies which were quite heterogeneous were reviewed.
❾-50%}Prednisone dosage anaphylaxis. Are Antihistamines and Steroids Helpful for Anaphylaxis?
Thirty original research papers were found with 22 human studies and eight animal or laboratory studies. The average rate of corticosteroid use in emergency treatment was Corticosteroids appear to reduce the length of hospital stay, but did not reduce revisits to the emergency department. There was no consensus on whether corticosteroids reduce biphasic anaphylactic reactions. None of the human studies had sufficient data to compare the response to treatment in different treatment groups i. Animal studies demonstrated that corticosteroids act through multiple mechanisms.
These modulate gene expression, with effects becoming evident 4 to 24 hours after administration. A much quicker response has been detected within 5 to 30 minutes, through blockade of signal activation of glucocorticoid receptors independent of their genomic effects.
Therefore, we conclude that there is no compelling evidence to support or oppose the use of corticosteroid in emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine , dilution, 0. The site may be gently massaged to facilitate absorption. The dose may be repeated two or three times at 10 to 15 minutes intervals. If severe hypotension is present, epinephrine may be given as a continuous intravenous infusion.
Patients receiving intravenous epinephrine require cardiac monitoring because of potential arrhythmias and ischemia. If an intravenous line cannot be established, the intramuscular dose can be injected into the posterior one third of the sublingual area, or the intravenous dose may be injected into an endotracheal tube.
The patient should be placed supine or in Trendelenburg's position. Supplemental oxygen may be administered. Intravenous access should be obtained for fluid resuscitation, because large volumes of fluids may be required to treat hypotension caused by increased vascular permeability and vasodilation. While volume replacement is central to management of hypotension in anaphylaxis, other pressors such as dopamine Intropin , 2 to 20 mcg per kg per minute, may be required. At this point, the patient should be assessed for response to treatment.
Additional measures then may be individualized. It should be released every five minutes for at least three minutes, and the total duration of tourniquet application should not exceed 30 minutes.
The tourniquet pressure should ideally occlude venous return without compromising arterial flow. Alternatively, 0. Persistent respiratory distress or wheezing requires additional measures.
Nebulized beta-adrenergic agents such as albuterol Proventil may be administered, and intravenous aminophylline may be considered. Endotracheal intubation may be needed to secure the airway. Rarely, airway edema prevents endotracheal intubation and a surgical airway e. Antihistamines sometimes provide dramatic relief of symptoms.
Simultaneous H 1 and H 2 blockade may be superior to H 1 blockade alone, so diphenhydramine Benadryl , 1 to 2 mg per kg maximum 50 mg intravenously or intramuscularly, may be used in conjunction with ranitidine Zantac , 1 mg per kg intravenously, or cimetidine Tagamet , 4 mg per kg intravenously.
Although the exact benefit of corticosteroids has not been established, most experts advocate their administration. Their benefit is not realized for six to 12 hours after administration, so their primary role may be in prevention of recurrent or protracted anaphylaxis.
There is no established drug or dosage of choice; Table 5 10 lists several possible regimens. Patients taking beta-adrenergic blockers present a special challenge because beta blockade may limit the effectiveness of epinephrine.
These patients may have resistant severe hypotension, bradycardia, and a prolonged course. Atropine may be given for bradycardia 0. Glucagon exerts positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart, independent of catecholamines. Therefore, glucagon, 1 mg intravenous bolus, followed by an infusion of 1 to 5 mg per hour, may improve hypotension in one to five minutes, with a maximal benefit at five to 15 minutes.
The U. Food and Drug Administration has not approved glucagon for this use. Nausea and vomiting may limit therapy with glucagon. All patients with anaphylaxis should be monitored for the possibility of recurrent symptoms after initial resolution. Laboratory testing may help if the diagnosis of anaphylaxis is uncertain. At discharge, the patient should be told to return for any recurrent symptoms. Some experts advocate a short course of antihistamines with oral corticosteroids e. A patient with a history of anaphylaxis should be instructed on how to initiate treatment for future episodes using pre-loaded epinephrine syringes.
Two strengths are available: 0. Training kits containing empty syringes are available for patient education. Family members and care-givers of young children should be trained to inject epinephrine.
Written instructions should be given. The patient also may take an antihistamine at the onset of symptoms. The patient must be told to seek immediate professional help regardless of initial response to self-treatment. If possible, the patient should avoid taking beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, because these drugs may interfere with successful treatment of future anaphylactic episodes or with the endogenous compensatory responses to hypotension.
Finally, the patient should be advised to wear or carry a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or keychain to inform emergency personnel of the possibility of anaphylaxis. Prevention of future episodes is vital Table 6. This requires identification of the anaphylactic trigger, which is often difficult.
The physician's primary tool is a detailed history of recent exposures to foods, medications, latex, and insects known to cause anaphylaxis. Previous tolerance of a substance does not rule it out as the trigger. Despite a detailed history, a cause remains elusive in many patients. Direct skin testing and radioallergosorbent testing RAST are available for some antigens, including heterologous sera, Hymenoptera venom, some foods, hormones, and penicillin.
Skin testing itself carries a risk of fatal anaphylaxis and should be performed by experienced persons only. Scratch and prick tests should precede intra-dermal testing to decrease the risk of an unexpected severe reaction.
Penicillin skin testing includes major and minor determinants; the minor determinants are more predictive of future anaphylactic events. However, it is limited to the same antigens that are available for skin testing.
Both skin testing and RAST have imperfect sensitivity and specificity. When there is no choice but to re-expose the patient to the anaphylactic trigger, desensitization or pretreatment may be attempted. Desensitization carries a risk of anaphylaxis and should be performed by experienced persons in a well-equipped location.
In this procedure, the patient is exposed to gradually increasing amounts of antigen, usually via intradermal, then subcutaneous, then intravenous routes.
Immunotherapy is recommended for insect sting anaphylaxis, because it is 97 percent effective at preventing recurrent severe reactions. In situations where desensitization is not possible, pretreatment with steroids and antihistamines is an option.
For a sensitive patient urgently requiring radiocontrast, 50 mg of oral prednisone 13 hours, seven hours, and one hour before contrast plus 50 mg of diphenhydramine one hour before the procedure dramatically reduce the rate of recurrent reaction. The use of nonionic contrast media provides additional protection. Consultation with an allergist can help 1 confirm the diagnosis of anaphylaxis; 2 identify the anaphylactic trigger through history, skin testing, and RAST; 3 educate the patient in the prevention and initial treatment of future episodes; and 4 aid in desensitization and pretreatment when indicated.
This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP.
Specific and idiopathic anaphylaxis: pathophysiology and treatment. In: Bierman W, ed. Allergy, asthma, and immunology, from infancy to adulthood. Philadelphia: W. Clinical Presentation. Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions. In: Middleton E, ed. Allergy: principles and practice. Differential Diagnosis. Emergency Management.
The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions are life-threatening events. A significant portion of the U. Both lead to the release of mast cell and basophil immune mediators Table 1. Because of their clinical similarities, the term anaphylaxis will be used to refer to both conditions. Anaphylaxis may include any combination of common signs and symptoms Table 2.
Gastrointestinal manifestations e. Headache, rhinitis, substernal pain, pruritus, and seizure occur less frequently. Symptom onset varies widely but generally occurs within seconds or minutes of exposure.
Rarely, anaphylaxis may be delayed for several hours. Anaphylaxis can be protracted, lasting for more than 24 hours, or recur after initial resolution. Approximately one third of anaphylactic episodes are triggered by foods such as shellfish, peanuts, eggs, fish, milk, and tree nuts e. A patient may underestimate the importance of a food antigen, or the antigen may be one of many ingredients in a complex product. Some persons may react just by handling the culprit food.
Another common cause of anaphylaxis is a sting from a fire ant or Hymenoptera bee, wasp, hornet, yellow jacket, and sawfly.
Approximately 40 to deaths per year in the United States result from insect stings, and up to 3 percent of the U. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs may produce a range of reactions, including asthma, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylactoid reactions. Overall, aspirin accounts for an estimated 3 percent of anaphylactic reactions.
Sensitive persons may have similar reactions to NSAIDs antigenically unrelated to aspirin and must take only acetaminophen for mild pain or fever. At one time penicillin was probably the most common cause of anaphylaxis.
Between one and five per 10, patient courses with penicillin result in allergic reactions, with one in 50, to one incourses having a fatal outcome, accounting for 75 percent of anaphylactic deaths in the United States. Latex allergy has become a significant problem since the widespread adoption of universal precautions against infection.
Eight to 17 percent of health care workers experience some form of allergic reaction to latex, although not all of these reactions are anaphylaxis.
Latex is in gloves, catheters, and countless other medical supplies, as well as thousands of consumer products. Persons allergic to latex also may be sensitive to fruits such as bananas, kiwis, pears, pineapples, grapes, and papayas.
Finally, radiographic contrast media can result in severe adverse reactions at a rate of 0. When history of exposure to an offending agent is elicited, the diagnosis of anaphylaxis is often obvious. Cutaneous manifestations of urticaria, itching, and angioedema assist in the diagnosis by suggesting an allergic reaction. However, when gastrointestinal symptoms predominate or cardiopulmonary collapse makes obtaining a history impossible, anaphylaxis may be confused with other entities.
Some of these differential diagnoses are listed in Table 4. If the diagnosis of anaphylaxis is not clear, laboratory evaluation can include plasma histamine levels, which rise as soon as five to 10 minutes after onset but remain elevated for only 30 to 60 minutes. Urinary histamine levels remain elevated somewhat longer. Alternatively, serum tryptase levels peak 60 to 90 minutes after onset of anaphylaxis and remain elevated for up to five hours.
Some patients have isolated abnormal tryptase or histamine levels without the other. The initial management of anaphylaxis includes a focused examination, procurement of a stable airway and intravenous access, and administration of epinephrine. Examination may reveal urticaria, angioedema, wheezing, or laryngeal edema. If the antigen was injected e. Epinephrinedilution, 0. The site may be gently massaged to facilitate absorption. The dose may be repeated two or three times at 10 to 15 minutes intervals.
If severe hypotension is present, epinephrine may be given as a continuous intravenous infusion. Patients receiving intravenous epinephrine require cardiac monitoring because of potential arrhythmias and ischemia. If an intravenous line cannot be established, the intramuscular dose can be injected into the posterior one third of the sublingual area, or the intravenous dose may be injected into an endotracheal tube.
The patient should be placed supine or in Trendelenburg's position. Supplemental oxygen may be administered. Intravenous access should be obtained for fluid resuscitation, because large volumes of fluids may be required to treat hypotension caused by increased vascular permeability and vasodilation.
While volume replacement is central to management of hypotension in anaphylaxis, other pressors such as dopamine Intropin2 to 20 mcg per kg per minute, may be required.
At this point, the patient should be assessed for response to treatment. Additional measures then may be individualized. It should be released every five minutes for at least three minutes, and the total duration of tourniquet application should not exceed 30 minutes. The tourniquet pressure should ideally occlude venous return without compromising arterial flow. Alternatively, 0. Persistent respiratory distress or wheezing requires additional measures.
Nebulized beta-adrenergic agents such as albuterol Proventil may be administered, and intravenous aminophylline may be considered. Endotracheal intubation may be needed to secure the airway. Rarely, airway edema prevents endotracheal intubation and a surgical airway e. Antihistamines sometimes provide dramatic relief of symptoms. Simultaneous H 1 and H 2 blockade may be superior to H 1 blockade alone, so diphenhydramine Benadryl1 to 2 mg per kg maximum 50 mg intravenously or intramuscularly, may be used in conjunction with ranitidine Zantac1 mg per kg intravenously, or cimetidine Tagamet4 mg per kg intravenously.
Although the exact benefit of corticosteroids has not been established, most experts advocate their administration. Their benefit is not realized for six to 12 hours after administration, so their primary role may be in prevention of recurrent or protracted anaphylaxis.
There is no established drug or dosage of choice; Table 5 10 lists several possible regimens. Patients taking beta-adrenergic blockers present a special challenge because beta blockade may limit the effectiveness of epinephrine. These patients may have resistant severe hypotension, bradycardia, and a prolonged course.
Atropine may be given for bradycardia 0. Glucagon exerts positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart, independent of catecholamines. Therefore, glucagon, 1 mg intravenous bolus, followed by an infusion of 1 to 5 mg per hour, may improve hypotension in one to five minutes, with a maximal benefit at five to 15 minutes.
The U. Food and Drug Administration has not approved glucagon for this use. Nausea and vomiting may limit therapy with glucagon. All patients with anaphylaxis should be monitored for the possibility of recurrent symptoms after initial resolution. Laboratory testing may help if the diagnosis of anaphylaxis is uncertain.
At discharge, the patient should be told to return for any recurrent symptoms. Some experts advocate a short course of antihistamines with oral corticosteroids e. A patient with a history of anaphylaxis should be instructed on how to initiate treatment for future episodes using pre-loaded epinephrine syringes.
Two strengths are available: 0. Training kits containing empty syringes are available for patient education. Family members and care-givers of young children should be trained to inject epinephrine. Written instructions should be given.
The patient also may take an antihistamine at the onset of symptoms. The patient must be told to seek immediate professional help regardless of initial response to self-treatment. If possible, the patient should avoid taking beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, because these drugs may interfere with successful treatment of future anaphylactic episodes or with the endogenous compensatory responses to hypotension.
Finally, the patient should be advised to wear or carry a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or keychain to inform emergency personnel of the possibility of anaphylaxis. Prevention of future episodes is vital Table 6. This requires identification of the anaphylactic trigger, which is often difficult. The physician's primary tool is a detailed history of recent exposures to foods, medications, latex, and insects known to cause anaphylaxis. Previous tolerance of a substance does not rule it out as the trigger.
Despite a detailed history, a cause remains elusive in many patients. Direct skin testing and radioallergosorbent testing RAST are available for some antigens, including heterologous sera, Hymenoptera venom, some foods, hormones, and penicillin.
Skin testing itself carries a risk of fatal anaphylaxis and should be performed by experienced persons only. Scratch and prick tests should precede intra-dermal testing to decrease the risk of an unexpected severe reaction. Penicillin skin testing includes major and minor determinants; the minor determinants are more predictive of future anaphylactic events.
However, it is limited to the same antigens that are available for skin testing. Both skin testing and RAST have imperfect sensitivity and specificity. When there is no choice but to re-expose the patient to the anaphylactic trigger, desensitization or pretreatment may be attempted. Desensitization carries a risk of anaphylaxis and should be performed by experienced persons in a well-equipped location. In this procedure, the patient is exposed to gradually increasing amounts of antigen, usually via intradermal, then subcutaneous, then intravenous routes.
Immunotherapy is recommended for insect sting anaphylaxis, because it is 97 percent effective at preventing recurrent severe reactions. In situations where desensitization is not possible, pretreatment with steroids and antihistamines is an option. For a sensitive patient urgently requiring radiocontrast, 50 mg of oral prednisone 13 hours, seven hours, and one hour before contrast plus 50 mg of diphenhydramine one hour before the procedure dramatically reduce the rate of recurrent reaction.
The use of nonionic contrast media provides additional protection.
Dose is based on prednisolone equivalency. Chronic maintenance dosing: Oral: Usual dosage range: to mg once daily (ES [Bornstein ]; Nieman ). A convenient oral corticosteroid is prednisone. No proven best dose exists. In adults, a dose of 1 mg/kg/d in divided doses is probably adequate. A convenient oral corticosteroid is prednisone. No proven best dose exists. In adults, a dose of 1 mg/kg/d in divided doses is probably adequate. Give hydrocortisone, 5 mg per kg, or approximately mg intravenously (prednisone, 20 mg orally, can be given in mild cases). The rationale is. Epinephrine is the standard first-line treatment for patients with call into question the role of corticosteroids for anaphylaxis. Allergy extracts, antilymphocyte and antithymocyte globulins, antitoxins, carboplatin Paraplatincorticotropin H. Studies using different corticosteroid formulations in biphasic reactions have not demonstrated any differences. Between one and five per 10, patient courses with penicillin result in allergic reactions, with one in 50, to one incourses having a fatal outcome, accounting for 75 percent of anaphylactic deaths in the United States. Animal studies demonstrated that corticosteroids act through multiple mechanisms. The use of nonionic contrast media provides additional protection.This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Review our cookies information for more details. The practice of using corticosteroids to treat anaphylaxis appears to have derived from management of acute asthma and croup. Indeed, as you point out, the use of corticosteroids in anaphylaxis has been called into question.
A practice parameter update in by Lieberman et al includes an excellent discussion about the topic. After reviewing the published evidence, the authors state that the use of corticosteroids has no role in the acute management of anaphylaxis.
The report notes that the time to onset of corticosteroid effect is too slow to prevent severe outcomes, such as cardiorespiratory arrest or death, which tend to occur within minutes for allergens such as medications, insect stings and foods. They also state that patients with complete resolution of symptoms after treatment with epinephrine do not need to be prescribed corticosteroids. According to the practice parameter update and another recent review, the evidence that corticosteroids reduce or prevent biphasic reactions is weak.
In , Alqurashi and Ellis published a review about whether corticosteroids are useful in acute anaphylaxis and also whether they prevent biphasic reactions. Since randomized controlled studies of these topics are lacking, 31 observational studies which were quite heterogeneous were reviewed.
Their conclusions are consistent with the practice parameter update: corticosteroids are highly unlikely to prevent severe outcomes related to anaphylaxis. They also reviewed 22 studies that specifically addressed the association of corticosteroids with biphasic anaphylaxis and only 1 study suggested a beneficial effect.
It showed that biphasic reactors tended to receive less corticosteroid; however, this association was not statistically significant. Studies using different corticosteroid formulations in biphasic reactions have not demonstrated any differences. Whether epinephrine administration could benefit subgroups of patients with co-morbid conditions such as asthma is not known. Lieberman P et al. Anaphylaxis-a practice parameter update Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Campbell RL et al.
Emergency department diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Alqurashi W and Ellis AK. Do corticosteroids prevent biphasic anaphylaxis? J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract ; I hope this answer is helpful to you. Jacqueline A. Corticosteroids for treatment of anaphylaxis Question:.
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