What is a drug allergy?
If you take a form of medicine or antibiotic and your immune system has a negative reaction to it, you are likely experiencing an allergic reaction (drug allergy) to the drug or antibiotic. A drug allergy is different than a drug side effect (known reaction likely listed on the bottle).
What causes drug allergies?
A drug allergy is caused by your body thinking that the medication or antibiotic consumed was a harmful versus helpful substance. If your body thinks that the drug is harmful, it will create an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). The IgE then works to remove the substance it sees as harmful. After this reaction has occurred (it is possible the reaction won’t occur until you have been exposed multiple times as well) once, your body will now flag the exposure to this medication or antibiotic every time.
Drug Allergy Symptoms
The symptoms that patients experience from a drug allergy will vary depending on your existing health and the drug you were exposed to. You could experience any of the following minor symptoms:
- Hives or rash
- Swelling
- Itching
- Cold like symptoms (runny nose, watery or itchy eyes)
A more severe drug reaction, also known as anaphylaxis, could include any of the following symptoms:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drop in blood pressure or increased heartrate
- Light headedness
- Diarrhea
- Troubles breathing
- Tightening in your airway
- Confusion
If you are experiencing any of the severe symptoms, we recommend immediately seeking medical help.
Diagnosing a Drug Allergy
In The Iowa Clinic Allergy department, our board-certified allergists can conduct a drug allergy test by either completing a blood or skin test. Both tests can help to rule out/in what your body is reacting to.
Drug Allergy Treatment Options
Treatment options will vary on a case-by-case basis. We recommend meeting with an allergist to determine the best course of evaluation/treatment for your drug allergy. Any of the following may be recommended:
- Antihistamines
- Corticosteroids
- EpiPen
- Epinephrine injection for severe reactions
If you think you may have a drug or antibiotic allergy, call our allergy department at 515.875.9450 to schedule an appointment with one of our allergists. If you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction, we recommend going to your nearest emergency medical facility to get treated.