DRUG-RELATED FATAL ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK IN DENMARK 1968-1990 - A STUDY BASED ON NOTIFICATIONS TO THE COMMITTEE ON ADVERSE DRUG-REACTIONS

Based on notifications to the Danish Committee on Adverse Drug Reactio ns and to the Central Death Register, 30 cases of fatal drug-induced a naphylactic shock were identified during the period 1968-1990. The mos t frequent causes were contrast media for X-ray examinations, antibiot ics, and extracts of allergens. Nine cases occurred outside hospital; they were mainly caused by the use of allergen extracts of moulds for desensitization in general practice. Fatal drug-induced anaphylactic s hock is rare, estimated in the present study at 0.3 case per million i nhabitants per year.