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Health

Drugs for the treatment of anaphylactic shock

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Drug treatment of anaphylactic shock should be lightning fast. It is necessary to administer drugs intravenously, this will speed up their effect on the human body. The list of administered drugs should be limited. But, despite this, it should include certain drugs.

  • Catecholamines. The main drug in this group is Adrenaline. Due to a certain stimulation of adrenoreceptors, it will allow to narrow the vessels, and also reduce the activity of the myocardium. In addition, Adrenaline significantly increases cardiac output, and also has a bronchodilator effect. It should be administered in the amount of 0.3-0.5 ml of 0.1%. It can be administered as a mixture. Usually it consists of 1 ml of 0.1% adrenaline solution and sodium chloride solution, in a volume of 10 ml. Repeated administration within 5-10 minutes is possible.
  • Glucocorticosteroids. Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Metiprednisolone, Hydrocortisone are mainly used. They are administered at a rate of 20-30 mg of the drug per kilogram of weight. This will allow the patient to establish positive dynamics. Drugs in this category are able to significantly inhibit the action of allergens on capillaries, thereby reducing their permeability.
  • Bronchodilators. Among them, Euphyllin is actively used. It allows to reduce the release of histamine metabolites, thereby stopping bronchospasm. It should be administered intravenously at a dosage of 5-6 mg/kg for 20 minutes. If there is an urgent need, the administration is repeated, thereby switching to a maintenance dose of 0.9 mg/kg/h.
  • Infusion therapy. Consists of the introduction of 0.9 sodium chloride solution, acesol, 5% glucose solution. Due to them, the volume of blood circulation increases significantly, and a vasoconstrictive effect occurs.
  • Antihypoglycemic drugs. Drugs of this group can effectively affect a person's condition. Prevent or completely eliminate Quincke's edema and urticaria. They can reduce the effect of histamine on the body. This leads to the relief of anaphylactic shock attacks. It is enough to simply inject 1-2 ml of Tavegil or Suprastin solution.

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Adrenalin

In case of anaphylactic condition, it is administered slowly intravenously, in a dosage of 0.1-0.25 mg. It is advisable to dilute it in 0.9% sodium chloride solution. If necessary, the administration continues, but already in a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. If a person is not in a critical condition, then it is quite possible to administer the drug slowly, in diluted or undiluted form. Repeated manipulation is repeated after 20 minutes. The maximum number of repetitions should not exceed 3.

Adrenaline helps to strengthen and increase the heart rate. This is possible with its rapid administration. In addition, it increases the volume of blood flow and has an antiallergic effect. Thanks to it, muscle relaxation occurs. If the administered dose is 0.3 mcg/kg/min., renal blood flow decreases and gastrointestinal motility is maintained. The effect is achieved immediately after administration of the drug.

Adrenaline should not be used in case of hypersensitivity, arterial hypertension, tachyarrhythmia, pregnancy, and during lactation. Incorrect dosage can lead to overdose symptoms. All manifests itself in high blood pressure, vomiting, headache. Myocardial infarction and death are possible. The drug can also cause side effects. These include angina, chest pain, dizziness, nervousness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

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Epinephrine

The drug's action consists of cardiac stimulation, vasoconstriction, and pressure reduction. The drug has a pronounced effect on the smooth muscles of internal organs. It also improves metabolic processes in the body. Most often, the drug is used for anaphylactic shock, insulin overdose, and open-angle glaucoma.

The main contraindications are arterial hypertension, diabetes, pregnancy, atherosclerosis and closed-angle glaucoma. Naturally, the drug is not advisable to use in case of hypersensitivity to it. The drug can cause side effects. These include anxiety, nausea, increased blood pressure, and headache.

The medication should be used with caution. Thus, it is administered intramuscularly at 0.3-1 ml of a 0.1% solution. If the heart has stopped, the dosage is 1:10000 in a diluted state. It is possible to administer it incrementally, literally every 5 minutes. The drug is often used to stop bleeding. To do this, a tampon should be moistened in a solution of the medication. In addition, it is used as eye drops.

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Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids after passing through the cell membrane bind to a specific steroid receptor. Thus, stimulation and formation of messenger RNA occurs. As a result, various regulatory proteins begin to be synthesized on the ribosomes. One of them is lipocortin. It suppresses the work of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. They are responsible for the development of the inflammatory process. To feel the effect after using these medications, you will have to wait a few hours. In medical practice, Beclomethasone, Flunisolide, Budesonide, Triamcinolone and Fluticasone are most often used.

  • Beclomethasone. It is one of the most common drugs. With prolonged use, patients feel a significant improvement. It is used by inhalation, 200-1600 mcg/day. This dosage is divided into 2-3 doses. The drug should be used with extreme caution. It cannot be used by pregnant women or people with increased hypersensitivity. It can cause headaches, nausea, and weakness.
  • Flunisolide. It is slightly inferior in its action to the above medication. However, it is used in a higher dosage. A person needs to use 1000-2000 mcg/day in 2 doses. The main contraindication is hypersensitivity. Pregnant women, during breastfeeding, as well as people with impaired liver and kidney function are prohibited from taking it. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, weakness, and increased blood pressure.
  • Budesonide. It is an effective glucocorticoid. It has minimal effect on the adrenal glands, the first-pass effect is carried out in the liver. If it is used in inhalation form, the effect is much better and faster. The drug must be administered using a stationary inhaler, at a dosage of 2 mg. The effect can be seen within an hour. The drug should not be used in case of hypersensitivity, as well as infectious diseases of the respiratory system. Side effects: cough, irritation of the larynx.
  • Triamcinolone. It is 8 times more effective than Prednisolone. It is administered by inhalation, 600-800 mcg/day in 3-4 doses. The maximum daily dosage should not exceed 1600 mcg. Contraindications include tuberculosis, diverticulitis, herpes of the eyelids, diabetes, syphilis. Side effects: edema, high blood pressure, insomnia, mental disorders.
  • Fluticasone. This drug is the newest among glucocorticoids. It has a higher activity. It is enough to use it in a dosage of 100-500 mcg/day to see a positive result. The maximum dosage should not exceed 1000 mcg/day. Contraindications: increased hypersensitivity, genital itching and children under 1 year of age. Side effects: itching, burning, allergic reactions, hoarseness.

Prednisolone

The dosage of the drug should be calculated individually. In acute conditions, 20-30 mg per day is usually used, which is equivalent to 4-6 tablets. It may be prescribed in a higher dosage. Treatment is stopped slowly, gradually reducing the main dose. In anaphylactic shock, the drug is administered in the amount of 30-90 mg intravenously or drip. The main thing is that the administration is slow.

The drug may cause side effects. These include menstrual irregularities, obesity, gastrointestinal ulcers, and stomach and intestinal wall defects. The drug should not be used in cases of hypersensitivity, severe hypertension, pregnancy, psychosis, and nephritis.

This drug is actively used in anaphylactic shock. It is included in the algorithm of emergency actions. In fact, it is almost impossible to do without it. It is in second place after the introduction of adrenaline.

Dexamethasone

The drug should be used in increased doses. This applies to the period of acute manifestation of the problem, as well as at the very beginning of its development. As soon as the desired effect is achieved, it is worth reviewing the dosage and prescribing it in a maintenance form. Increased doses at this stage are no longer appropriate. The dosage regimen is individual. If a person's condition is severe, it is necessary to take the drug 10-15 mg per day. As for the maintenance dose, it is up to 4.5 mg. In asthmatic status, it is necessary to use the medication 2-3 mg per day. The duration of use is determined by the attending physician.

As for contraindications, the drug should not be used in case of hypersensitivity to its main components. In general, there is no detailed information. This drug can be considered universal, because it is often used to eliminate severe allergic reactions. There are no data on side effects. This drug is partly safe and is used everywhere.

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Antihistamines

In case of anaphylactic shock, the use of these drugs is not prescribed. After all, they have too weak an effect and are not able to help a person quickly. Drugs of this type can, on the contrary, provoke a drop in pressure. In addition, the necessary elimination of bronchospasm does not occur. In more severe cases, it is still recommended to use H1 - diphenhydramine. It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. The use of drugs of this type does not allow an allergic reaction to occur again. Suprastin or Dimedrol are widely used for this. The introduction is made intramuscularly.

The victim must be constantly monitored, because there is a possibility of a reverse effect and an increase in symptoms. In case of high blood pressure, it is recommended to resort to the help of Pentamn - 1 ml of a 5% solution in 20 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution. The specifics of treatment completely depend on the person's condition. As mentioned above, most often they resort to the help of Suprastin, it is also included in the "alarm kit".

Suprastin

The drug is used during meals, 0.025 g, up to 3 times a day. If the condition is severe, in this case we mean an allergic reaction with a complex course, it is necessary to administer intramuscularly and intravenously. 1-2 ml of a 2% solution is enough. In acute cases, a single administration is recommended.

The drug can cause side effects. Usually these include drowsiness and general weakness. The drug is not capable of negatively affecting the body. On the contrary, it helps it cope with the impending danger.

There are also contraindications regarding the use of the drug. Thus, it is not advisable for people whose profession requires maximum concentration. The reaction speed in this case is significantly reduced. The drug should not be administered to people with hypertrophy and glaucoma. Naturally, victims with a persistent allergic reaction to this drug are at particular risk.

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Adrenergic agonists

Adrenomimetics include several types of drugs. These can be stimulants. Epinephrine and Adrenaline are used to eliminate persistent allergic reactions. Metazon is considered an adrenoreceptor stimulant. Salbutol and Terbutaline are also widely used.

Epinephrine. It is an analogue of the hormone of the medulla. The drug is capable of stimulating absolutely all types of adrenoreceptors. They actively increase pressure, and also increase heart rate. There is a dilation of the vessels of the skeletal muscles.

Adrenaline. It is able to reduce precapillary sphincters. As a result, microcirculation in peripheral tissues is disrupted. There is an active blood supply to the heart, brain and skeletal muscles. However, a significant increase in pressure can lead to the development of bradycardia.

All agents related to adrenomimetics are administered intravenously or intramuscularly. They are based on the content of adrenaline, which stimulates the work of many functions and systems, due to the strengthening of metabolic processes.

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Euphyllin

The drug is prescribed orally, administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Subcutaneous administration is not performed, since there is a high risk of irritation. The method of application depends entirely on the specific situation. In severe cases, it is used intravenously, administered slowly (4-6 minutes). Dosage 0.12-0.24 g.

The drug can cause side effects, including dyspeptic disorders. If administered intravenously, dizziness and decreased blood pressure may occur. Headache, cramps, and palpitations are common. If administered rectally, irritation of the intestinal mucosa may occur.

The medication has a number of contraindications. It cannot be used with low blood pressure. People with paroxysmal tachycardia, epilepsy, extrasystole are at risk. It cannot be used with heart failure, as well as coronary insufficiency and heart rhythm disorders.

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