The symptoms of drug allergies are allergic reactions to a particular drug.
It is not uncommon for there to be conflicting reactions to medications and, not all reactions are the same. Someone may experience a rash or other reactions and another person may have no reactions whatsoever.
“Allergist Services” is experienced in treating Drug Allergy symptoms.
Allergists often make a diagnosis based only upon the patient’s history and the symptoms involved. This is what we call a “clinical diagnosis.”
Certain medications are more likely to produce allergic reactions than others. The most common are:
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin
- Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen
- Anticonvulsants
- Monoclonal antibody therapy
- Chemotherapy
All medications have side-effects because of the way they work. The majority of people get none, or very few, but some people are more prone to them. The most common side-effects are:
- Skin rash or hives
- Itching
- Wheezing or other breathing problems
- Swelling
- Anaphylaxis
There is no question that some individuals are more susceptible to drug allergies than others. It is possible for drugs to build up in your body over time so, a dose that works for one person may be inappropriate for another.
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent a severe reaction. Treatment may include:
- Bronchodilators such as albuterol to reduce asthma-like symptoms (moderate wheezing or cough)
- Antihistamines to relieve mild symptoms such as rash, hives, and itching
- Epinephrine by injection to treat anaphylaxis
- Corticosteroids applied to the skin, given by mouth, or given through a vein (intravenously)
If you are aware of an allergy to certain drugs, the obvious way to deal with it is to avoid those drugs or medications.
If you, or your physician, think that you are allergic to a drug, and that you may need this drug for future treatment, you a drug allergy evaluation can help you.
Contact us for more information at (561) 123-1234.
