Drug Allergy

What is a drug allergy?

Drug allergies are adverse reactions to taking prescription or over-the-counter medications. The immune system reactions can range from mild to life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of drug allergies?

Allergic reactions to drugs can cause morbilliform rashes, urticaria, angioedema, serum sickness reactions, Erythema Multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

How are drug allergies diagnosed?

The diagnosis depends on a qualified person taking an appropriate medical history, performing laboratory tests, allergy skin tests, and at times drug challenges under supervised settings.

What is the treatment of drug allergies?

An allergist can help you understand your drug allergies, treat then, and advise on potential cross-reactivities with other drugs as well as other preventative measures. If the drug is necessary, then the allergist may recommend and supervise a desensitization procedure.