Views
Has it ever happened to you that you went in the ER to get better but you got even worse? This is what happens when you get drug allergies. Experts from Allergy centers have reported that many a times they have had people come in with unknown causes of their allergies, and they never suspect their drugs.
Medication and drug allergy happen when
When you aren’t aware of your allergies to certain medications
Once you get allergic reaction you need to stop taking the certain drug immediately and seek help from a proper allergy clinic or allergist. Allergies caused by, medication or drugs becomes apparent as soon as the drug starts effecting the immune system. It doesn’t take longer than an hour. Its very curious to think, how to cure something with medication, when it’s, in fact, cause by medication.
Before treatment, it’s better to know the indications and symptoms:
- Skin rash or hives
- Burning skin
- Gasping for breath
- Puffiness and inflammation
- Anaphylaxis
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness
Hives and rash can break out in any part of your body, that either covered or not covered. You should always get immediate medical help at allergy clinic if the symptoms start getting server or if you are experiencing more than one symptom simultaneously.
Drugs That Act as Allergy Triggers
- Penicillin
- Antibiotics (sulfonamides; sulfa drugs)
- Anticonvulsants
- Aspirin, ibuprofen
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Diagnosing Drug Allergies
- Skin test (for penicillin only)
- Drug challenge (to rule out all drugs except the culprit)
- Drug Allergy Management and Treatment
Treatment of Drug Allergy
As part of the treatment your allergist at the allergy center will ask you certain questions, this is the standard practice in case of drug allergies.
- Which drug do you think triggered this allergic reaction?
- When did you take it? Estimated time?
- Have you stopped or still taking it?
- How long did it take for the indications to occur after the medication was taken? Estimated time?
- What additional suppositories (pills and capsules), prescription, do you use?
- Do you take any other medication like herbal supplements? If yes, then name them?
You should fully co-operate with your allergist at the allergy center to help him determine what caused it, because without knowing the root cause and culprit, the allergist won’t be able to start medication.
The treatment is initiated after taking notes of all the answers of the questions and keeping them in mind. There will be a skin test suggestion if the patient’s allergy has subsided. In case of an emergency, there will be no such tests, just a blood sample will be taken and would be sent for testing stat, if he suspects that more than one organ can get effected in due course.
In case the drug allergy gets proven then an oral drug challenge will be conducted, you will be given a small dose of the suspected drug under complete supervision, but this is done only when mild reaction occurs. If the reaction was severe the first time then this will be off the chart.
In Case of Proven Drug Allergy
You should always make sure that all your doctors are aware that you are allergic to certain drugs. Get a list of related formulas that can cause the same reaction. You should also get a list of alternate drugs that you can take in case of an emergency. In very severe cases or child care the patient should wear a medical alert bracelet that will indicate that he or she is allergic to certain drugs. If you experience the allergic reaction right after you took the drug then make the paramedics aware of it as soon as they step inside the house. You should tell them the exact time and dosage taken.
In of a mild reaction you may get the following medications:
- An antihistamine to counteract the allergic reaction
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, or a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation
- Drug desensitization
Allergist MD are 24/7 available in case the allergy goes wrong. So, it’s always better to consults either an allergy clinic to get proper treatment and knowledge.
