Management of Anaphylaxis

Algorithms reproduced with the kind permission of the Resuscitation Council (UK).

Other information

Anaphylaxis can be precipitated by a broad range of triggers which can include medicines, food, radio-opaque dyes and venom. On admission, known allergies must be clearly documented on the patient’s HEPMA record and in the medical notes. Any new allergies identified must be documented and communicated to the patient and the patient’s GP. If a drug is suspected to be the trigger, then also complete a ‘Yellow Card’ adverse drug reaction form. Forms can be found in the BNF or at www.yccscotland.scot.nhs.uk/.

Follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance "Anaphylaxis: assessment and referral after emergency treatment" available here, specifically:

All patients should be referred to a specialist clinic for allergy assessment.
Patients should be offered (or, if appropriate, their parent and/or carer) an appropriate adrenaline auto-injector as an interim measure before the specialist allergy review (unless the reaction was drug-induced).
Patients prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors (and/or their parents/carers) must receive training in their use, and have an emergency management or action plan.
Anaphylaxis reactions should be reported to the UK Anaphylaxis Registry www.anaphylaxie.net (to register, email anaphylaxis.registry@imperial.ac.uk) and guidance should be followed for the reporting and debriefing of adverse events.

Guideline reviewed: May 2023

Page last updated: December 2023