Drug Allergy
Medical Author:
Samuel M. Keim, MD
Samuel M. Keim, MDDr. Keim received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University, where he studied Microbiology, Chemistry and Spanish. After graduating from The University of Arizona College of Medicine, he completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Los Angeles County King Drew Medical Center. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Drug Allergy OverviewAllergic reaction is an uncommon and unwanted side effect of medication. Several different types of allergic reactions to medications can occur. Reactions to drugs range from a mild localized rash to serious effects on vital systems. The body's response can affect many organ systems, but the skin is the organ most frequently involved. It is important to recognize the symptoms of a drug allergy, because they can be life-threatening. Death from an allergic reaction to a medication is extremely rare, however. An allergic reaction does not often happen the first time you take a medication. A reaction is much more likely to occur the next time you take that medication. If you have a reaction the first time, you probably were exposed to the medication before without being aware of it. Not all adverse reactions to drugs are allergies. In fact, fewer than 10% of adverse drug reactions are allergic. Other causes of adverse reactions are interactions between two or more drugs, inability to break the drug down completely in the body (as occurs with liver or kidney damage), overdose, and irritating side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you have experienced a nonallergic drug reaction, it is important to describe it as such to medical personnel-not as an allergy. If you don't know just describe the reaction the best way that you can. Viewer Comments & ReviewsDrug Allergy - ExperienceThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What drug(s) are you allergic to, and what type of reaction do you experience? |
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Drug Allergy
Allergic Reaction Overview
An allergic reaction is the body's way of responding to an "invader." When the body senses a foreign substance, called an antigen, the immune system is triggered. The immune system normally protects the body from harmful agents such as bacteria and toxins. Its overreaction to a harmless substance (an allergen) is called a hypersensitivity reaction, or an allergic reaction.
- Anything can be an allergen. Dust, pollen, plants, medications, (such as ibuprofen, sulfa drugs like sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim [Bactrim], codeine, amoxicillin [Amoxil, Amoxil Pediatric Drops, Moxatag, Trimox]), foods (common food allergies include shrimp and other shellfish, peanuts), insect bites (such as from mosquitos or bees), animal dander, viruses, or bacteria are examples of allergens.
- Reactions may occur in one spot, such as a small localized skin rash, itchy eyes, face bumps, or all over, as in a whole body rash such as ...
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Drug Eruptions »
Drug eruptions can mimic a wide range of dermatoses. The morphologies are myriad and include morbilliform (most common, see Media file 1), urticarial, papulosquamous, pustular, and bullous. Medications can also cause pruritus and dysesthesia without an obvious eruption.
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