Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Anaphylaxis caused by benzalkonium in a nebulizer solution.

Sang-Hoon Kim1, Youngsoo Ahn

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji Hospital, Eulji Medical College, Seoul, Korea. ksh1134@eulji.or.kr

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|April 15, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a common nebulizer preservative, can trigger anaphylactic shock in asthmatic patients. A case study revealed a severe reaction to a BAC-containing solution, confirmed by bronchial provocation testing.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Rapid assessment of immune effector cell-mediated cytotoxicity using mRNA lipid nanoparticles.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Inhibition of HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway by Schisandrin in RAW264.7 murine macrophages.

Food science and biotechnology·2026
Same author

Circulating miR-184 and miR-206 as predictive biomarkers for early recurrence in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective study.

BMC gastroenterology·2026
Same author

Long-Term Renal Outcomes Following Left Renal Vein Ligation Versus Direct Splenorenal Shunt Ligation in Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A 10-Year Single-Center Study.

Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation·2026
Same author

Rapid Assessment of Immune Effector Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity using mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Age-dependent effects of exercise on gut microbiota-mitochondria axis and cognitive function in aging mice.

Journal of exercise rehabilitation·2026

Area of Science:

  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a widely used preservative in respiratory medications, including nebulizer solutions.
  • Asthma patients may experience paradoxical bronchoconstriction from BAC in nebulized therapies.
  • The potential for severe allergic reactions to BAC in asthmatics requires further investigation.

Observation:

  • A 23-year-old asthmatic woman presented with anaphylactic shock symptoms after an intradermal skin test with a salbutamol solution containing BAC.
  • The patient had previously reported cough and dyspnea following inhalation therapy with a similar nebulizer solution.
  • Immediate symptoms included dizziness, palpitations, dyspnea, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension.

Findings:

Related Experiment Videos

  • The intradermal skin test with BAC-containing solution elicited a rapid anaphylactic response.
  • Bronchial provocation testing one month later confirmed a positive response to BAC.
  • The patient required epinephrine and saline infusion for resuscitation.

    • Implications:

    • This case highlights the risk of severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to benzalkonium chloride in susceptible asthma patients.
    • Clinicians should consider BAC as a potential allergen in asthmatics experiencing adverse reactions to nebulized treatments.
    • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of BAC-induced hypersensitivity and to develop safer preservative alternatives.