Drug allergies
Alternative names:
allergic reaction to a drug (medication)
Treatment:
The treatment goal is relief of symptoms.
Antihistamines usually relieve common symptoms (rash, hives, itching). Prednisone or topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) corticosteroids may also be recommended. Adrenergic bronchodilators may be prescribed to reduce asthma-like symptoms (moderate wheezing, cough, and so on.) Epinephrine - inhalation or Epinephrine - injectable is used to treat anaphylaxis.
The offending medication should be avoided. Health care providers (including dentists, hospital personnel, etc.) 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.
Expectations (prognosis):
Most drug allergies respond readily to treatment. A few cases cause severe asthma or anaphylaxis.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if you are taking a medication and develop symptoms indicating drug allergy.
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; these are emergency conditions!
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