Drug Allergies
Allergies: Allergies to Medications
Many drugs can cause adverse side effects, and certain medicines can trigger
allergic reactions. In an allergic reaction, the immune system mistakenly
responds to a drug by creating an immune response against it. The immune system
recognizes the drug as a foreign substance and the body produces certain
chemicals, such as large amounts of histamine
in an attempt to expel the drug from the body.
What Are the Symptoms of Drug Allergy?
Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. Even in people who aren't
allergic, many drugs can cause irritation, such as an upset stomach. But during
an allergic reaction, the release of histamine can cause symptoms like hives,
skin rash, itchy skin or eyes, congestion, and swelling in the mouth and
throat.
A more severe reaction may include difficulty breathing, blueness of the
skin, dizziness, fainting, anxiety, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea, diarrhea,
and abdominal problems.
Which Drug Allergies Are Most Common?
The most common drug associated with allergies is penicillin. Other
antibiotics similar to penicillin can also trigger allergic reactions.
Other drugs commonly found to cause reactions include sulfa drugs,
barbiturates, anticonvulsants, insulin, and iodine (found in many X-ray
contrast dyes).
How Are Drug Allergies Diagnosed?
A doctor diagnoses a drug allergy by carefully reviewing your medical
history and symptoms. If your doctor suspects that you are allergic to an
antibiotic such as penicillin, he or she may do a skin test to confirm it.
However, skin testing does not work for all drugs, and in some cases it could
be dangerous. If you have had a severe, life-threatening reaction to a
particular drug, your doctor will simply rule out that drug as a treatment
option for you. Conducting an allergy test to determine if the initial reaction
was a "true" allergic response isn't worth the risk.
Next: How are drug allergies treated? »
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