Itching, rash, angioedema, swelling, difficulty speaking. In the event of a very serious allergic reaction leading to anaphylactic shock, an adrenaline shot can save life. Reserved for specialists familiar with the intravenous administration of adrenaline, this emergency treatment must be administered with extreme caution. Here’s how.
Why take injectable adrenaline?
Adrenaline is also called epinephrine. “Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a drug that can lessen or stop anaphylactic reactions,” explains the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) (source 1). An anaphylactic reaction is a severe generalized allergic reaction that can lead to death if left unchecked. “An epinephrine auto-injector is an instrument consisting of a syringe and a needle used to inject a single dose of epinephrine”.
A prescription drug
Adrenaline has been prescribed by a doctor during a previous allergic episode and the injection pen must always be available. It is better to always have two adrenaline injector pens on you rather than one, in case of malfunction or if the first injection is not enough.
Indications: when is an adrenaline injection used?
Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can cause shock, a drop in blood pressure and difficulty breathing, and even death. At the origin of this shock, an exacerbated allergic reaction to insect venom (wasp in particular), to a drug or to a food (peanuts, shellfish, walnuts, kiwi, eggs, peanut, etc.). Some people even have a shock during physical exercise and, one in five times, the allergy remains unexplained.
