Corticosteroids in treating allergic and anaphylactic reactions - Essay Example

Corticosteroids can be regarded as synthetic drugs that resemble cortisol, which is a hormone synthesised by the adrenal gland. Corticosteroid medications are among the drugs used in the treatment of anaphylactic reactions. Corticosteroids act by blocking the immune system from responding to allergens (Andrew & Lin, 2007). By doing so, production of inflammatory chemicals goes down and reduces the extent of tissue damage. Corticosteroids are administered intravenously in combination with epinephrine and antihistamines.

The major concern about the use of corticosteroids in treating anaphylactic reactions is whether they are effective in the pre-hospital set up (Rowe, 2008).In 2005, The American allergy and immunology societies agreed that the use of systemic corticosteroids in the management of acute anaphylactic reactions is of no benefit. This is because the corticosteroids might not be effective within 4-6 hours even when they are administered intravenously (Rowe, 2008). The panel pointed out that corticosteroids have been used to manage anaphylactic reactions for a long time, but their effectiveness has never been proved in placebo controlled trials.

However, corticosteroids have shown some effectiveness in the treatment of asthma and other anaphylactic reactions, which makes them reliable in reducing the risk of biphasic anaphylactic reactions. The practice guideline recommends the use of intravenous route while administering the corticosteroids although there is no specified dose.. Epinephrine turned out to be the widely used drug for the initial treatment of anaphylactic reactions in all the states under investigation. Majority of states require their emergency medical technicians and paramedics to have training in the use of epinephrine auto injectors.

This has also been extended to basic and advanced life support providers who operate out of hospital set up. Use of Corticosteroids during Anaphylactic Reactions Corticosteroids can be regarded as synthetic drugs that resemble cortisol, which is a hormone synthesised by the adrenal gland. Corticosteroid medications are among the drugs used in the treatment of anaphylactic reactions. Corticosteroids act by blocking the immune system from responding to allergens (Andrew & Lin, 2007). By doing so, production of inflammatory chemicals goes down and reduces the extent of tissue damage.

Corticosteroids are administered intravenously in combination with epinephrine and antihistamines. The major concern about the use of corticosteroids in treating anaphylactic reactions is whether they are effective in the pre-hospital set up (Rowe, 2008). In 2005, The American allergy and immunology societies agreed that the use of systemic corticosteroids in the management of acute anaphylactic reactions is of no benefit. This is because the corticosteroids might not be effective within 4-6 hours even when they are administered intravenously (Rowe, 2008).

The panel pointed out that corticosteroids have been used to manage anaphylactic reactions for a long time, but their effectiveness has never been proved in placebo controlled trials. However, corticosteroids have shown some effectiveness in the treatment of asthma and other anaphylactic reactions, which makes them reliable in reducing the risk of