Medical Treatment

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.