Board Review: Anaphylaxis

A 50 year old male with history of atrial fibrillation and a seafood allergy presents after eating seafood. He is on a beta-blocker for rate control. He has facial swelling, hives, trouble breathing and nausea. You give epinephrine x 2 intramuscularly but the patient is not improving. What is your next step in management. 

A. Epinephrine IM

B. Epinephrine IV

C. Glucagon

D. Glucocorticoid 

E. Pepcid

 

 

 

 

 

Answer: C - Glucagon

If taking a beta-blocker, anaphylaxis may be unresponsive to epinephrine and so glucagon is indicated.