Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that affects the entire body and can be fatal. Your immune system becomes sensitized upon first exposure to a substance such as insect toxin, certain drugs or foods. On subsequent exposure, a sudden, severe body-wide allergic reaction occurs as various tissues in the body release histamine and other substances. This release results in breathing difficulties, lowered blood pressure and blood volume, pulmonary swelling, and possibly gastrointestinal symptoms. Anaphylaxis is generally treated with a combination of epinephrine (adrenalin), an antihistamine (such as diphenhydramine, promethazine) and corticosteroids (cortisone, prednisone).
Chemotherapy-induced anaphylaxis is most commonly associated with medicine and chemotherapy. Reactions to chemotherapy may occur within seconds or minutes, particularly if you have been exposed to the anticancer treatment. Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with most chemotherapy drugs, although generally infrequently. Reactions more often occur with L-asparaginase, paclitaxel, docetaxel, teniposide, procarbazine, and cytarabine. Common chemotherapy-induced anaphylactic symptoms include hives, swelling, itching, flushing, and skin rash.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Cetirizine, Cimetidine, Famotidine, Hydroxyzine, Ranitidine
Drugs such as antibiotics, anesthetics, antiseizure medications, and x-ray dye may cause an anaphylactoid reaction, which is another type of immediate reaction that mimics anaphylaxis, although it is toxic. Risk factors for drug allergies include frequent exposure to the offending drug, large drug doses, drugs given by injection, and family history of allergic reactions. Drug-induced anaphylactic symptoms often occur within seconds or minutes and include difficulty breathing, rapid or weak pulse, fainting, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Methylprednisolone, Prednisone
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a chronic, life-threatening condition. HIV affects the body by damaging or destroying immune system cells that prevent viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. People with HIV are more prone to certain cancers and infections than healthy individuals. HIV transmission most commonly occurs through sexual contact with an infected person. Other modes of HIV infection include exposure to infected blood, sharing needles or syringes contaminated with the virus, or transmission from an untreated infected mother to infant during pregnancy, delivery, or through breast milk.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Abacavir/Lamivudine, Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine, Amprenavir, Atazanavir, Didanosine, Efavirenz, Fosamprenavir, Lamivudine, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Pneumococcal Vaccine, Tenofovir, Zalcitabine, Zidovudine
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Filgrastim, Foscarnet, Sargramostim
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