General measures |
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   Obtain a thorough history to diagnose life-threatening food or drug allergy |
   Identify cause of anaphylaxis and those individuals at risk of future attacks |
   Provide instruction on proper reading of food and medication labels, where appropriate |
   Avoidance of exposure to antigens and cross-reactive substances |
   Optimal management of asthma and coronary artery disease |
   Implement a waiting period of 20 to 30 min after injections of drugs or other biologic agents |
   Consider a waiting period of 2 h if a patient receives an oral medication in the office he/she has never previously taken |
Specific measures for high-risk patients |
   Individuals at high risk of anaphylaxis should carry self-injectable syringes of epinephrine at all times and receive instruction in proper use with a placebo trainer |
   MedicAlert or similar warning bracelets or chains |
   Substitute other agents for β-adrenergic antagonists, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and certain tricyclic antidepressants whenever possible |
   Slow, supervised administration of agents suspected of causing anaphylaxis, orally if possible |
   Where appropriate, use specific preventive strategies, including pharmacologic prophylaxis, short-term challenge and desensitization, and long-term desensitization |