Asthma and Allergy > Allergies > Conditions > Drug Allergy

Drug allergy

Certain medicines can trigger allergic reactions. The immune system mistakenly recognizes the drug as a foreign substance and the body produces chemicals to expel the drug from the body. The most common drug to cause an allergic reaction is penicillin.

If you have a drug allergy, always inform your health care provider before undergoing any type of treatment, including dental care.

Symptoms

Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. They may include: hives skin rash itchy skin or eyes congestion swelling in the mouth and throat anaphylaxis

Diagnosing

Your doctor will carefully review your medical history and symptoms. In rare cases, skin testing may occur, although no standardized testing exists for drug allergies.

Treatment

Treatment varies, depending on the symptom. For example, rash, hives and itching often can be controlled with antihistamines. Avoiding the drug in the future is very important. Consider carrying a list of your medicine allergies or wearing “medical alert” jewelry stating your allergies.