In the case of severe allergic reactions, which medication is commonly used?

In the case of severe allergic reactions, the medication that is commonly used is epinephrine. When an individual experiences anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic reaction—epinephrine serves as a vital treatment. It works rapidly to reverse the symptoms by constricting blood vessels to increase blood pressure, relaxing the muscles in the airways to improve breathing, and reducing swelling and hives.

The use of epinephrine is critical because it addresses the acute and potentially fatal symptoms of anaphylaxis. Other medications, such as antihistamines, are useful for milder allergic reactions but are not sufficient to treat severe cases effectively. Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, alleviates pain and inflammation but does not have the necessary effects on severe allergic reactions. Ephedrine, while it may have some bronchodilator effects and can raise blood pressure, has largely fallen out of favor in emergency allergic reactions compared to the more effective epinephrine.

Thus, epinephrine is the first-line treatment and essential for managing severe allergic reactions, making it the correct answer for this question regarding severe allergic reactions.