If a patient develops an allergic rash and it is not immediately clear if they are also having an anaphylactic reaction is it alright to give chlorphenamine and hydrocortisone first?
Allergic rashes alone are relatively common and often respond to an oral dose of antihistamine (e.g., chlorphenamine). Some patients are also prescribed a steroid by their doctor. If the patient has or is developing life threatening airway, breathing or circulation problems other treatments including adrenaline are necessary. Question: 12. Why does the guideline recommend giving repeat doses of intramuscular adrenaline every 5 minutes, when the manufacturers of adrenaline auto-injectors recommend a longer interval (10-15 minutes) between doses? Answer: Auto-injectors are recommended primarily for use by laypeople for self administration. Guidance for their use must allow a greater degree of safety in terms of dose and recommended dosing interval. There is little science on which to base a recommendation for the dosing interval. The recommendation of 5 minutes is pragmatic and based on the personal experience of those who use adrenaline in their regular practice. Waiting for 10-15 minut
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