jeckrn, BSN, RN 1,868 Posts Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR. Has 17 years experience. Sep 12, 2012 It is not a first-choice, first-line med but it exists and sometimes used.The problem is, benadryl works really slow comparing with tempo of anaphylaxis. The start of action is expected, under normal circumstances, within 15-20 min., and the patient can die well before this time passes. Also, benadryl, especially given IV, can cause hypotension, doesn't directly treat bronchospasm and its sedative effect may not be desirable. I carry benadryl SL pills and SQ auto-injector (the latter thing isn't available in the USA so I buy it in Europe) in my "allergy pack" with total dose 200 mg. I use them only for local and less severe reactions. Paramedics and ER personnel usually inject it later, IV or SQ, but only after blood pressure is under good control.I worked the ED for years and gave more Benadryl for allergic rx's then epi.
mariebailey, MSN, RN 948 Posts Sep 12, 2012 We kept it in stock for immunization clinics at my previous place of employment. The Colorado Immunization Manual lists in Section 4, p.4-5 the appropriate syringes, needles, & dosage (by body weight or age if weight unknown): Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology - Colorado Immunization Manual (CIM)
7feetunder 1 Article; 54 Posts Sep 12, 2012 It is not a first-choice, first-line med but it exists and sometimes used.The problem is, benadryl works really slow comparing with tempo of anaphylaxis. The start of action is expected, under normal circumstances, within 15-20 min., and the patient can die well before this time passes. Also, benadryl, especially given IV, can cause hypotension, doesn't directly treat bronchospasm and its sedative effect may not be desirable. I carry benadryl SL pills and SQ auto-injector (the latter thing isn't available in the USA so I buy it in Europe) in my "allergy pack" with total dose 200 mg. I use them only for local and less severe reactions. Paramedics and ER personnel usually inject it later, IV or SQ, but only after blood pressure is under good control.thanx a lot!!its a new input formy brain
7feetunder 1 Article; 54 Posts Sep 12, 2012 The original poster is from Malaysia. Apparently parenteral diphenhydramine HCl is not available in Malaysia. (per OP's later posts it is only available in liquid/syrup form and not as a tablet or cream either like it is in the US, Canada and other countries)Thanx for answering on be half of me.Even pcm injection is not available in Malaysia..No hurtfeelings .Even this drugs not prescribed in my country but I just want to know because I want to..who knows someone from your country come to our center and asking for inj.Benadryl?Now I knew that it is only available at your country and I will give him a perfect answer for that..:)
KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN 1 Article; 2,674 Posts Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine. Has 10 years experience. Sep 12, 2012 Yes, because not every anaphylaxis worths epi, thanks God. Also, nowadays epi is more commonly injected by the patient or paramedics before coming into ER. Epinephrine is actually injected more commonly than necessary; in my support club I'd seen parents who gave their kids a shot "just in case" after noticing something which might contain the allergen literally half a mile away or after a single peanut was found on school bus floor.
hiddencatRN, BSN, RN 3,408 Posts Sep 13, 2012 It is not a first-choice, first-line med but it exists and sometimes used.It's part of our standard anaphylaxis kit: we give IM epi, IV benadryl and solumedrol, and IV zantac after the previous 3 are in.
That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B 3,421 Posts Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab. Has 6 years experience. Sep 13, 2012 It also makes a great local topical anesthetic in a pinch
psu_213, BSN, RN 3,878 Posts Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant. Has 14 years experience. Sep 13, 2012 It's part of our standard anaphylaxis kit: we give IM epi, IV benadryl and solumedrol, and IV zantac after the previous 3 are in.Same in our ER.
