Recognition and Management of Anaphylaxis in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss medications that cause anaphylaxis in older adults and its treatment, with a focus on epinephrine.

DATA SOURCE: A search of PubMed using the terms "anaphylaxis," "drug-induced anaphylaxis," "epinephrine autoinjectable," "anaphylaxis diagnosis," "anaphylaxis treatment," and "epinephrine cost" was performed. English-language articles from January 2000 to August 2016 appearing in these searches were reviewed.

STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant review articles, consensus statements, practice parameters, task force recommendations, and original articles were assessed for recognition and treatment of drug-induced anaphylaxis.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that occurs with food, insect stings, latex, radio contrast agents, and medications. Medications that are commonly used by older adults can cause anaphylaxis. Epinephrine remains the first-line treatment option and does not have any contraindications.

CONCLUSION: Early recognition of drug-induced anaphylaxis symptoms is critical and medication should be administered immediately to prevent cardiac arrest. Additionally, health care providers can provide others with education on administration of epinephrine auto-injectable agents, availability of alternative options, and patient-assistance programs to lower the cost of epinephrine agents.