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 Reactions and to the Central Death Register, 30 cases of fatal drug-induced anaphylactic shock were identified during the period 1968-1990. The most frequent causes were contrast media for X-ray examinations, antibiotics, 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 shock is rare, estimated in the present study at 0.3 case per million inhabitants per year.