Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening reaction that can affect all age groups

• The severity of previous reactions does not predict the severity of subsequent reactions
• Intramuscular adrenaline is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, with intravenous adrenaline reserved for unresponsive anaphylaxis or circulatory collapse
• Early use of adrenaline in anaphylaxis is associated with improved outcomes
• Any patient with a systemic allergic reaction should be considered for an adrenaline auto-injector with emphasis on identifying at risk features
• There is a clear need to improve the education of both patient and physician on the use of, and indications for, adrenaline auto-injectors