Table 1.

Factors associated with more severe allergic reactions

Concomitant asthma: Patients with asthma are at higher risk for food-induced anaphylaxis

Agents that increase intestinal permeability, such as alcohol and aspirin

Certain medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers, which can impair the body’s compensatory responses to hypotension and interfere with the actions of epinephrine, respectively

Exercise, exertion, or stress

Concomitant illness (viral infections, etc)

High dose of triggering antigen

Menstruation