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Case-based MCQ | #Case_394 | #answer
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B
Vancomycin can cause several different types of
hypersensitivity reactions, ranging from localized skin reactions to generalized cardiovascular collapse.
Red man syndrome (RMS) is the most reported adverse reaction.
RMS, also called "
red neck syndrome" is a
rate-dependent infusion reaction, not a true allergic reaction. The etiology is unknown but it does not involve drug-specific antibodies and, in contrast to allergic reactions, may develop with the
first administration of vancomycin.
RMS is characterized by
flushing, erythema, and pruritus, usually affecting the
upper body, neck, and face more than the lower body. Pains and muscle spasms in the back and chest, dyspnea, and hypotension may also occur. Chest pain and chest tightness are other reprted clinical features. RMS is
rarely life-threatening; however, severe
cardiovascular toxicity and even cardiac arrest can occur.
IgE-mediated anaphylaxis can present with symptoms similar those of severe RMS. Unlike RMS, an IgE-mediated reaction to vancomycin does
not occur with first administration. However, there may be some characteristics distinguishing features. While
wheezing, respiratory, and angioedema are more common in anaphylaxis,
chest pain or a sense of chest tightness is seen more frequently in RMS.
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NOTE - Since it may not be possible to distinguish anaphylaxis from severe RMS based on clinical presentation, the patient should be assumed to have anaphylaxis and treated promptly if in doubt.
Concomitant use of some drugs associated with
histamine release may
increase the risk of vancomycin adverse reactions.
Opiates and contrast media are the most implicated medications. Some studies suggest that the
dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers -
nifedipine may
increase the risk of vancomycin-related adverse drug interaction.
Management of RMS is as follows:
For mild to moderate reactions, in which the patient is uncomfortable due to flushing or pruritus, but without hemodynamic instability, chest pain or muscle spasms, the infusion should be
interrupted and patient be treated with
diphenhydramine (50 mg orally or intravenously) and ranitidine (50 mg intravenously). Symptoms usually subside promptly. The infusion can then be restarted at one-half of the initial rate or 10 mg/min, whichever is slower.
For Severe reactions associated with muscle spasms, chest pain, or hypotension, the infusion should be
interrupted and the patient be treated with
diphenhydramine (50 mg intravenously) and ranitidine (50 mg intravenously), and intravenous fluids if there is hypotension. Once symptoms have resolved, the infusion can be restarted, and given over 4 or more hours. For future administration in such patients, premedication with antihistamines before each dose and infusion over 4 hours is recommended.
If the reaction to vancomycin is anaphylaxis type, immediate treatment would be intramuscular
adrenaline. Vancomycin should never be given again, unless desensitization is performed.
Hives, laryngeal edema, and
wheezing are suggestive of anaphylaxis.
This patient has typical presentation of RMS. Since chest tightness is present, the management would be restarting the infusion at a
slower rate (over 4 hours) as well as premedication with
histamine (and ranitidine).
Unlike antihistamines, addition of prednisolone to vancomycin has
not shown to decrease the risk of recurrence of RMS.