Products
The allergy emergency kit is assembled and dispensed individually at a pharmacy or under a doctor’s care.
Contents of the allergy emergency kit
The following information refers to adults. The composition of the kit is not uniformly regulated and differs between regions and countries. Many countries also use different active ingredients and dosages. Base:
- 2 tablets of cetirizine 10 mg or other antihistamines such as levocetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine or fexofenadine.
- 2 tablets of prednisone or prednisolone 50 mg ( cortisone tablets).
The expiration dates of the tablets should be noted in the set, for example on a small piece of paper. This, if they are not printed on the blisters. In case of severe allergic reactions, for a rapid onset of action:
- 2 epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPen, Jext), as the 1st choice agent for the treatment of anaphylaxis.
Indications for use
An allergy emergency kit is recommended for people who react to allergens with severe allergic symptoms, for example, in the case of insect venom allergy, after the administration of medication or food (eg, peanut allergy, celery allergy).
Dosage
As directed by a physician. Immediately after allergen exposure, e.g., after an insect bite, before the onset of the first symptoms:
- Adolescents 12 years and older and adults: take all 4 tablets of the set.
- Children: according to a doctor’s prescription. Liquid dosage forms such as drops or solutions can be taken, for example, with cetirizine or desloratadine. Some tablets and melting tablets are also geeinget for older children.
- Adrenaline auto-injector when there is evidence of general discomfort (circulatory or respiratory), especially for the circulatory system.
- Inhaled beta2-sympathomimetics such as salbutamol possibly for respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath.
- Contact the doctor / physician.
It is important that the kit is quickly accessible and the use is known to the allergy sufferer and relatives or contacts. All potential users must know where it is located.