In simple terms, any adverse reaction due to medicine can be termed as drug allergy. Body can react to any foreign substance, but in these cases drugs are solely responsible for causing allergic reactions. When immune system reacts to these drugs, symptoms of allergies may appear. Remember, drug allergies are different from drug overdose.
Drug Allergy Symptoms
Symptoms of drug allergy depend on the severity of the problem. In some cases, allergy can affect more than one organ. Some common symptoms are:
- Fever
- Skin rash and itching
- Increase in heartbeat and pulse rate
- Breathing becomes difficult
- Anxiety
- Swelling of lips and tongues
- In severe cases some people might suffer from loss of consciousness
- Vomiting and pain in abdominal area
Diagnosis and Treatment of Drug Allergies
Diagnosing drug allergy
Some drugs responsible for allergies are penicillin, insulin, other antibiotics, anticonvulsants and iodine etc. Drug allergy is diagnosed by doing skin test or by stopping any particular drug. If by stopping the drug use symptoms also stops than it means that particular drug is responsible for causing allergic reactions.
Treating drug allergies
For treatment, doctor in drug allergy clinic will stop giving you the allergy inducing medicine. Instead they will give you antihistamines for controlling itching and hives. Some allergies can cause Asthma. In case of allergic Asthma, albuterol is given for reducing symptoms like chest tightness, fever and shortness of breath. Some medication is also given through injections.
For anyone suffering from drug allergy, it is very important that before starting any treatment, he or she should inform the doctor about his medical condition. They will give you alternative antibiotics. Desensitization is done by giving small amount of antibiotics in the initial stage of treatment. Gradually the quantity is increased so that immune system can deal with it without having any adverse reaction. Overdose of allergy causing drugs can be lethal.
Allergies can be potentially life threatening. If you have any symptom, go to the nearest drug allergy clinical center immediately. For someone with more than one allergy, he or she should stop exposing themselves to that antibiotic or any other allergy causing substance. Call the doctor or emergency services before things get out of control.