title: Insect sting anaphylaxis and beta-adrenergic blockade: a relative contraindication.
abstract: Severe anaphylaxis is reported in a bee venom-sensitive 31-year-old male while receiving propranolol. His anaphylactic reaction was mainly respiratory and was refractory to emergency treatment. We believe that his use of beta-blockers contributed to the severity of his anaphylaxis and refractoriness to treatment. We suggest that beta-blockers should be contraindicated or alternate medications used in hymenoptera allergic patients.
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects; D001516:Bees; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001514:Bee Venoms; D011433:Propranolol; D004837:Epinephrine