Key takeaways:

• Anaphylaxis is a severe emergency medical condition with rapid onset of action.
  

• The drug of choice for anaphylaxis is Epinephrine. Administration of epinephrine delays an increase in mortality.
  

• multiple systems like respiratory, cardiovascular, skin, Gastrointestinal systems shows symptoms of anaphylactic reactions
  

• Common causes of anaphylactic reaction are from foods, drugs, insect stings, and latex.
  

• The PEBC exam 2025, is the licensure exam conducted for international students who wish to work as a registered pharmacist in Canada. This exam focuses on recognition, first-line treatment, and emergency protocol which makes anaphylaxis a core topic

Pharmacists who are Preparing for the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) in 2025, they need a strong understanding of emergency conditions like anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening allergic reaction which is a high-yield topic for exams and clinical practice.

This guide explains what anaphylaxis is, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management, with exam-focused notes to help pharmacy graduates succeed.

What is anaphylaxis?

It is a severe allergic reaction that affects multiple organs, which has rapid-onset of action. Anaphylactic reactions are often considered as an emergency medical condition which requires immediate treatment. Epinephrine is the only medication for anaphylactic reactions.

• Anaphylatics reactions are IgE-mediated hypersensitive reaction
  

• This type of reaction happens Within minutes to hours of allergen exposure
  

• In Sever cases, it Can lead to airway obstruction, shock, or death if untreated

What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis?

What are the causes of anaphylaxis?

Common triggers includes:

• Certain food items like peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs causes severe reaction

• From selected medications like penicillin, NSAIDs, chemotherapy drugs

• From insect bites from bees, wasps, hornets

• From products made of latex such as gloves, catheters, balloons

How is anaphylactic reaction diagnosed?

It is clinically diagnosed with certain criterias such as:

• A History of allergic reaction due to allergen exposure
  

• Rapid reaction with severe symptom
  

• Causes sudden Hypotension or respiratory distress due to the exposure.

No laboratory tests can diagnose anaphylactic reactions. Treatment options should be given immediately without any delays

What are the treatment options for anaphylaxis?

For any anaphylactic reaction, rapid treatment is a must. First line medication is Intramuscular Epinephrine (0.3–0.5 mg IM, repeated every 5–15 mins if needed).

Emergency Management Steps for anaphylactic reactions are:

1. By standers Call emergency services immediately after noticing the allergic reactions

2. Administer epinephrine (auto-injector are available in most of the developed countries like Australia)

3. Patient should be placed in supine position with legs elevated

4. monitor vitals and Provide oxygen

5. Adjunctive therapies (after epinephrine):
   
   

• Take Antihistamines (for skin symptoms)
  

• Use Corticosteroids (to prevent further inflammatory reaction)
  

• Extreme cases can go for Beta-agonists (for bronchospasm) under medical supervision
  

Conclusion:

In developed countries like Canada, Pharmacists are considered as frontline healthcare providers in emergencies. They are regulated to treat a critical condition which requires immediate intervention or treatment.

For aspirants, who are preparing for the PEBC exam in 2025, understanding a critical topic like anaphylaxis is very crucial. They should be able to recognize the symptoms, about epipen administration and effective patient counseling methods,. This understanding will help them in both exams and real life practice.

About the Author

Krupa Karamchand

Content Writer | Elite Expertise

Krupa Karamchand is a B. Pharm graduate and KAPS-qualified pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. As an experienced SEO content writer, she combines her in-depth healthcare knowledge with proven digital strategies to create informative, engaging, and search engine–optimized blogs. Krupa is passionate about making complex medical topics easy to understand and accessible to all readers.

Follow On