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Medical Author:

Samuel M. Keim, MD

Samuel M. Keim, MD

Dr. 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.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa 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.

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Generally, treatment of a drug allergy falls into three categories:

• Mild allergy (localized hives and itching)
  • Treatment is aimed at caring for the symptoms and stopping the reaction caused by the drug.
    
    
  • Medications prescribed may include antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
    
    
  • You may be advised to stop taking the medication that caused the allergy.
    
    
• Moderately severe allergy (all-over hives and itching)
  • Treatment is aimed at caring for the symptoms and stopping the reaction.
    
    
  • Usually the offending medication is stopped.
    
    
  • Medications prescribed may include antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)), oral steroids (prednisone), or histamine blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), or ranitidine (Zantac).
    
    
• Severe allergy(shortness of breath, throat tightness, faintness, severe hives, involvement of many organ systems)
  • Treatment includes strong medications to quickly reverse the dangerous chain of events.
    
    
  • The offending medication is stopped immediately.
    
    
  • Medications prescribed may include antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), oral or IV steroids such as prednisone or methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol), or histamine blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), or ranitidine (Zantac).
    
    
  • Depending on the severity of other symptoms, other medications may be used including epinephrine (also called adrenaline), which is inhaled, given by IV, or injected under the skin.
    
    
  • If your reaction is severe, you may need to be admitted to the hospital for continued therapy and observation.

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