Drug allergies are abnormal reactions in your body that occur due to specific medications. Usually, your body tries to fight such reactions by creating antibodies and administering a disease-fighting response. However, drug allergies are uncommon, and most people will live for years without experiencing an allergic reaction.
Causes of the Allergy
The most popular sources of drug allergy are antibiotics. Other drugs might also trigger allergic reactions if taken in certain amounts. Here are examples of drugs that have higher chances of causing allergic reactions.
- Insulin: Pork or beef insulins
- Anticonvulsants: Dilantin, Depakene, Tegretol, Lamictal
- Aspirin and non-steroidal medications
- Antibiotics
- Cephalosporines: Cefzil, Suprax, Vantin, Ceftin, Keflex
- Penicillins: Amoxil, Penicillin, Ampicillin
- Sulfa: Bactrim, Pedizazole, Septra
Symptoms Of Drug Allergy
Some of the common symptoms of the allergy include swelling of the skin, runny nose, itching, and redness. The symptoms often occur within the first minutes of taking the drug, or they can start a few days after taking the drug. Most symptoms should go away after 3-5 days. Consult your allergy doctor if you feel the symptoms are becoming unbearable. Some drugs can treat an allergy; antihistamine (Benadryl or Chlortrimeton) being one such example.
However, there are serious symptoms of a drug allergy that if not taken care of, may cause severe reactions. Anaphylaxis is an acute symptom which usually occurs immediately after taking a drug. The patient experiences symptoms like decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate. If you suspect that you are developing similar reactions, you should immediately stop taking the drug and seek medical help.
Avoiding the Allergies
The key to avoiding the allergies is avoiding the drugs you are allergic to. When you visit a hospital or clinic, let the doctor know about your allergies. It’s common for doctors to administer a drug that you might be allergic to.
Conclusion
It’s good to note that taking the wrong medication can lead to grave complications. If you notice the signs of allergy, contact an allergist as soon as possible. Ensure that you can remember the drug that you took. For example, if you become allergic to medications such as Amoxil, you are probably also allergic to other penicillin drugs like ampicillin.
However, if you have to take a drug that you are allergic to, an allergist might administer drugs that “de-sensitize” the effects. As rule of thumb, never try fixing the condition on your own.