If a person has a known severe allergy and a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, what should you do?

• A. Wait to see if symptoms improve before dosing.
• B. Administer the epinephrine as prescribed and call EMS immediately afterward.
• C. Take an antihistamine instead.
• D. Ignore symptoms and monitor.

Answer: (B)

Prompt treatment with epinephrine is the most important action in a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works quickly to reverse the life-threatening effects of anaphylaxis—reducing airway swelling, improving breathing, and stabilizing blood pressure. If a person has a known severe allergy and a prescribed auto-injector, use it right away, then call EMS immediately. Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve, because the reaction can progress rapidly. After injecting, monitor the person, and be prepared to administer a second dose if symptoms persist or recur and you have a second syringe, as advised by the device’s instructions. Antihistamines aren’t a substitute for epinephrine in anaphylaxis, and ignoring symptoms can be dangerous.