H2-antihistamines for the treatment of anaphylaxis with and without shock: a systematic review.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Allergy & Respiratory Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Ulugbek.Nurmatov@ed.ac.uk.
Ulugbek B
UB
Nurmatov
Victoria Hospital, NHS Fife, Kirkcaldy, United Kingdom.
Edmund
E
Rhatigan
Departments of Pediatrics, Child Health and Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
F Estelle R
FE
Simons
Allergy & Respiratory Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Aziz
A
Sheikh
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012769:Shock / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D004837:Epinephrine