What is the first-line treatment for anaphylactic shock?

In cases of anaphylactic shock, the first-line treatment is epinephrine. This medication works swiftly to counteract the severe allergic reaction by causing vasoconstriction, which increases blood pressure, and bronchodilation, which opens the airways. Additionally, epinephrine reduces swelling and urticaria (hives) associated with anaphylaxis. Administering epinephrine promptly can be life-saving and is crucial for effectively managing the symptoms of anaphylaxis, helping to stabilize the patient until further treatment can be provided.

While antihistamines are often used to relieve mild allergic symptoms, they do not address the life-threatening aspects of anaphylactic shock, such as airway obstruction and cardiovascular collapse. Intravenous fluids may be used to manage hypotension associated with anaphylaxis, but they do not provide the immediate reversal of symptoms that epinephrine does. Oxygen therapy can assist with hypoxia, but it is not the primary treatment for stopping the anaphylactic reaction. Therefore, epinephrine is recognized as the critical first step in emergency management of anaphylactic shock.