Anaphylaxis and monoamine oxidase inhibitors--the use of adrenaline

A 67 year old woman taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) presented to the accident and emergency department with an anaphylactic reaction to flucloxacillin. This case highlights the uncertainty regarding the use of adrenaline (epinephrine) in the context of concurrent MAOI use. A summary of the evidence is presented to clarify this.