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H2-antihistamines for the treatment of anaphylaxis with and without shock: a systematic review
Ulugbek B Nurmatov1, Edmund Rhatigan2, F Estelle R Simons3
1Allergy & Respiratory Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Background:
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic or hypersensitivity reaction, which is rapid in onset and sometimes can prove fatal. Although H2-antihistamines are often administered for emergency treatment in anaphylaxis, there is uncertainty about their effectiveness in this disease.
Objective:
To assess the benefits and harms of H2-antihistamines in the treatment of anaphylaxis.
Methods:
A systematic review was performed of randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing H2-antihistamines with placebo or no intervention in patients with anaphylaxis.
Results:
The authors failed to identify any eligible studies for inclusion in this systematic review.
Conclusion:
When H2-antihistamines are recommended for anaphylaxis treatment, the status of the evidence base supporting their use should be described. Well-designed randomized controlled trials investigating the role of H2-antihistamines in anaphylaxis treatment are urgently needed.
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