Drug allergies

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Allergic reactions to medication	Anaphylaxis	Antibodies	Dermatitis, contact
Dermatitis, pustular contact	Drug rash, Tegretol	Drug rash on the back	Fixed drug eruption
Fixed drug eruption, bullous	Fixed drug eruption on the cheek	Hives

Allergic reaction - drug (medication)

The treatment goal is relief of symptoms and preventing a severe reaction.

Antihistamines usually relieve mild symptoms (rash, hives, itching). Topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) corticosteroids may also be recommended. Bronchodilators such as albuterol may be prescribed to reduce asthma-like symptoms (moderate wheezing or cough). Epinephrine by injection may be necessary to treat anaphylaxis.

The offending medication should be avoided. Health care providers -- including dentists and hospital personnel -- should be advised of drug allergies before treating the allergic patient. Identifying jewelry or cards (such as Medic-Alert or others) may be advised.

Occasionally, a penicillin allergy responds to desensitization (immunotherapy) in which increasing doses (each dose of the drug is slightly larger than the previous dose) are given to improve tolerance of the drug. This should only be done by a doctor.

Most drug allergies respond readily to treatment. A few cases cause severe asthma, anaphylaxis, or death.

• Discomfort
• Asthma
• Anaphylaxis (life-threatening)

Call your health care provider if you are taking a medication and seem to be having a reaction to it.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have difficulty breathing or develop other symptoms of severe asthma or anaphylaxis (see above). These are emergency conditions!

Review Date: 08/03/2005
Reviewed By: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.