If you are allergic to antibiotics, you get signs and symptoms like a rash, swelling of the face or difficulty breathing.

1. ALLERGIC REACTION TO ANTIBIOTICS
If you are allergictoantibiotics,yougetsignsandsymptomslikearash,swellingof the face ordifficulty
breathing.
A severe allergicreactionisknownasanaphylaxis,andusuallyoccurswithinanhourof takingan
antibiotic.A severe allergicreactionisamedical emergencyrequiringimmediatemedical attention.You
may needtocall triple zero(000) and performfirstaid.
The symptoms ofanaphylaxis are:
 Difficult/noisybreathing
 Swellingof the tongue
 Swelling/tightnessof the throat
 Difficultytalking/hoarsevoice
 Wheezingorcoughing
 Dizzinessorcollapse
 Pale andfloppy(youngchildren)
Sometimesyoucan get lessdangeroussymptoms before an anaphylaxis,such as:
 Swellingof the face,lipsand/oreyes
 Hivesor welts
 Abdominal painorvomiting
The AustralasianSocietyof Clinical ImmunologyandAllergyrrecommendsthatforasevere allergic
reactionadrenaline isthe initial treatment.If youare allergictoantibioticsyoumaybe instructedbya
doctor howto avoidtriggersandif severe mayinstructyouhow to use a self administeredadrenalin
injectionsuchasepipen.The doctorwill recordthe allergyandtype of reactioninyournotesand
electronichealthrecordsandwill giveyouananaphylaxisactionplan.
Most allergiesare causedbypenicillinorantibioticscloselyrelatedtopenicillin,orbyanothertype of
antibioticcalledsulfonamides.Feelingnauseousandvomitingaftertakingantibioticsisusuallyaside-
effectof the medicine,ratherthanan allergicreaction.Yourdoctorcan usuallydiagnose allergic
reactionstoantibioticsbytalkingtoyou.He or she may referyouto an allergyspecialist,whomayask
for skinallergyandbloodtests.If youhave anyotherconcernsabout antibiotics,includingpossible side
effects,contactyourdoctor.Nowadays,several thousandsof medicationsfordifferentdiseases
treatmentare usedworldwide.Despite provenefficiencyandsafetyof these drugs,theycancause
some unusual reactions.
Thus,15% of all side effectsof drugtherapyare allergicreactions.
Several types ofdrugs provoke allergicreactions more than any other drugs do, these are:
 Antibioticsubstances(upto55%)

2.  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs(upto25%)
 Sulfanilamides(upto10%)
 Vaccines,vitamins,enzymes(upto10%)
Allergicreactiontoantibioticsisanatural reactionof the bodyto medicationoritsmetabolites.The
severityandfrequencyof allergicreactiondependondosage of antibioticsandtime people use them.
Usually,a single orpreventive applicationof antibioticsdoesnotcause side effects.A long-term
parenteral use of highdosesof antibiotics(likeinjections) increasesthe riskof allergicreaction.
The majorityof allergicreactionstoantibioticshave similarsigns:
Occur in small numberof people
Developquicklyinrepeatedadministrationof anallergen
Appearwhenusingantibioticswithidentical chemical structure
If a patienthasallergicreactiontoantibiotics,he shouldstopusingthe druganddetermine the cause of
thisreaction.Hypersensitivitytoantibioticsoccurseitheronthe active pharmaceutical ingredient,oron
excipients.If allergicreactioniscausedbythe active substance,thenyouneedtouse otherantibiotic.
If doctor findsoutthat allergicreactionwascausedbyexcipients,thenyoucanbuyand use some
similarantibioticdrugbyotherpharmaceutical company.Typically,antibioticsmanufacturersuse
differentexcipients.Youcanfindthe listof excipientsinthe leaflet.
It sholdbe notedthatfrequentrepeatedantibiotictherapiesincrease the riskof side effectsandallergic
reactions.If youare sensitivetovariousallergens,youcanbuyantibioticsforashort-termtherapy.Such
medicationsrarelycause side effects.
Distributorsof antibioticssupplysame medicationsindifferentpharmaceutical forms.The safest
pharmaceutical formsof antibioticsare tabletsorcapsules.Local applicationorparenteral route of
administrationof antibioticsincreasesthe riskof adverse reactions.
There are riskfactorsof allergicreactionsthatdonot dependonthe type of usedantibiotics.These
factors are age, sex andconstitutionpeculiarities(forinstance,leanness).Itmustbe saidthatdrug
allergyismilderandlessharmful inelderlyandchildren.
Antibioticseffectsmayvaryfrommildallergicreactionstosevere andexhaustingsideeffects.
Treatmentof allergicreactiontoantibioticsshouldbe startedwhenthe firstsignsandsymptomsoccur.
Hypersensitivitytoantibiotics,aswell asallergytoothermedicationscanbe determinedaccordingto
Gell andCoombsclassification.Insome cases,symptomsof allergymaybe dangerousforhealth.
The most common allergicreaction to antibioticsis usuallyone of the listedbelow:
 Rash,irritatedskin,blisters

3.  Anaphylacticshock
 Drug fever
 Low bloodpressure
 Edemaand narrowingof the larynx
As well asothermedications,antibioticsare notrecommendedforuse duringpregnancy.Exceptforthe
caseswhenitis a necessity.Allergicreactiontoantibioticsduringpregnancyismostlythe same in
women,whoare pregnantandwho are not, yetit can be stronger.
One of the mostcommoncausesof antibioticintolerance isconsideredpenicillin.Antibioticsof thistype
require aspecial attentionbecause of theirpopularity.Infact,penicillincausesside effectsandleadsto
hospitalizationmore oftenthananyotherantibioticdrugs.
If you use antibioticsfromtime totime andyouare allergictopenicillin,youmustbe aware whatdrugs
youcan take.Obviously,youshouldnotbuyantibioticswhichname contains‘Penicillin’word.
At the USA pharmacies,youcan buyseveral antibioticswhichname has‘Penicillin’init –Penicillin-Vk,
PenicillinGPotassium, PenicillinGSodiumandothers.The UK pharmacies offertobuyPenicillin-Vk
(tabletsandcapsules) andPhenoxymethylpenicillin(granulesfororal solution).
Antibioticscontainingactive substance Penicillinare alsoavailable underbrandnamescontainingno
word‘Penicillin’(forexample,Amoxicillin, Cilicaine Syringe,Bicillin,PenaparandV-Cillin).Youmayfind
the informationonsubstancesof the drugsinthe leaflet.
Allergicreactiontoantibioticsoftenoccursif drugsare usedimproperly.Tomaximallyreduce the riskof
adverse reactions,
you shouldfollowsome simple recommendations:
 If you have no ideawhatinfectionaparticularantibioticismeantfor,donot use it
 Learn side effectsof antibioticsandtake precautions
 Use antibioticsinrecommendeddosesonly(noless,nomore)
 Continue usingantibioticsuntil youare completelyhealthy
If antibioticspillscause allergy –skinrash,itching,difficultbreathingoranotherseriousreaction,a
personshouldstopusingitandnevertake it again.Use antibioticsonlywhenstrictlynecessary.
What is an antibioticmedicationallergy?
An antibioticmedicationallergyisaharmful reactiontoan antibiotic.The reactioncanstartsoon after
youtake the medicine,ordaysorweeksafteryoustop.Healthcare providerscannotknow aheadof
time if youwill have anallergicreaction.Yourimmune systemmaybecome sensitivetothe antibiotic
the firsttime youtake it. You mayhave an allergicreactionthe nexttime.The antibioticsmostlikelyto
cause an allergicreactionare penicillinsandcephalosporins.
What are the signsand symptoms of an allergicreaction to an antibiotic?

4.  Mildsymptomsinclude red,itchy,flaky,orswollenskin.Youmayhave a flat,redarea on your
skinthat iscoveredwithsmall bumps.Youmayalsohave hives.
 Severe symptomsinclude skinthatblistersorpeels,visionproblems,andsevere swellingor
itching.Severe reactionsinclude conditionssuchastoxicepidermal necrolysis(TEN).Askyour
healthcare providerformore informationonTEN and otherseriousconditions.
 Anaphylaxissymptomsincludethroattightness,trouble breathing,tingling,dizziness,and
wheezing.Anaphylaxisisasudden,life-threateningreactionthatneedsimmediatetreatment.
Anaphylaxismayoccurif youexercise afterexposuretoa trigger,suchas afteryou take an
antibiotic.
What increasesmy risk for an antibiotic medicationallergy?
 Otherallergies,suchastocats
 A familyhistoryof antibioticallergies
 Frequentuse of antibiotics
 A long-termillnessthatmakesyourimmune systemmore sensitive
How isan antibioticmedicationallergydiagnosed?
Your healthcare providerwill askaboutyourmedical historyandallergies.Youmayneedadditional
testingif youdevelopedanaphylaxisafteryouwere exposedtoatriggerand thenexercised.Thisis
calledexercise-inducedanaphylaxis.Youmayalsoneedanyof the following:
 Bloodtests:You mayneedbloodtakentogive caregiversinformationabouthow yourbodyis
working.The bloodmaybe takenfromyour hand,arm, or IV.
 A patch testmeansa small amountof the antibioticisputonyour skin.The areais coveredwith
a patch that stayson for 2 days.Thenyour healthcare providerwillcheckyourskinfora
reaction.
 A skinpricktestmeansa small dropof the antibioticisputon yourforearmand yourskinis
prickedwitha needle.Yourhealthcare providerwillwatchfora reaction.
 An intradermal testmeansasmall amountof antibioticliquidisputunderthe surface of your
skin.Your healthcare providerwillwatchfora reaction.
 A drug provocationtestisalsoknownasan antibioticchallengetest.Yourhealthcare provider
givesyouincreasingdosesof the antibioticmedicineandwatchesfora reaction.
How isan allergicreactiontoan antibiotictreated?
 Antihistaminesdecreasemildsymptoms suchasitchingor a rash.
 Epinephrineismedicine usedtotreatsevere allergicreactionssuchasanaphylaxis.
 Steroidsreduce inflammation.
 Desensitizationmaybe done afteryouhave a reaction,if youneedtobe treatedwiththe
antibioticagain.Yourhealthcare providerwill giveyousmall dosesof the antibioticoverafew

5. hours.He will treatanyallergicreactionthatyouhave.The dose isincreaseda little ata time
until the full dose isreachedandthe medicine stopscausinganallergicreaction.Youwill have
to take a dose of the antibioticeverydaytokeepyourbodydesensitized.
What stepsdo I needto take for signsor symptomsof anaphylaxis?
 Immediatelygive 1shotof epinephrine onlyintothe outerthighmuscle.
 Leave the shotin place as directed.Yourhealthcare providermayrecommendyouleaveitin
place for upto 10 secondsbefore youremove it.Thishelpsmake sure all of the epinephrine is
delivered.
 Call 911 andgo to the emergencydepartment,evenif the shotimprovedsymptoms.Donot
drive yourself.Bringthe usedepinephrine shotwithyou.
What safetyprecautions do I needto take if I am at risk for anaphylaxis?
 Keep2 shotsof epinephrinewithyouatall times.Youmay needasecondshot,because
epinephrine onlyworksforabout20 minutesandsymptomsmayreturn.Yourhealthcare
providercanshowyou andfamilymembershow togive the shot.Checkthe expirationdate
everymonthandreplace itbefore itexpires.
 Create an actionplan.Your healthcare providercanhelpyoucreate a writtenplanthatexplains
the allergyandan emergencyplantotreata reaction.The planexplainswhentogive asecond
epinephrine shot if symptomsreturnordo notimprove afterthe first.Give copiesof the action
planand emergencyinstructionstofamilymembers,workandschool staff,anddaycare
providers.Showthemhowtogive ashot of epinephrine.
 Be careful whenyouexercise.If youhave hadexercise-inducedanaphylaxis,donotexercise
rightafteryou eat.Stop exercisingrightawayif youstart to developanysignsorsymptomsof
anaphylaxis.Youmayfirstfeel tired,warm, orhave itchyskin.Hives,swelling,andsevere
breathingproblemsmaydevelopif youcontinuetoexercise.
 Carry medical alertidentification.Wearmedical alertjewelryorcarry a card thatsays youhave
an antibioticmedicine allergy.Healthcare providersneedtoknow thattheyshouldnotgive you
thisantibiotic.Askyourhealthcare providerwheretogetthese items.
 Readmedicine labelsbefore youuse anymedicine.Donottake the medicine if itcontainsthe
antibioticthatyouare allergicto.Thisincludestopical medicinesthatyouputon your skin.Ask
a pharmacistif you are notsure.
 Tell all healthcare providersaboutyourallergy.Alwaystellyourhealthcare providersthe names
of medicinesthatyouare allergictoand the symptomsof your allergicreactions.
 Askif you needtoavoidothermedicines. Youmaybe allergictoothermedicinesif youhadan
allergicreactiontoan antibiotic.Make sure youknow the namesof othermedicinesthatyou
shouldnottake.
WhenshouldI seekimmediate care?
 You have a rash withitchy,swollen,redspots.

6.  You have blisters,oryourskinispeeling.
 You have trouble swallowingoryourvoice soundshoarse.
 You have a fast or poundingheartbeat.
 Your skinor the whitesof youreyesturnyellow.
WhenshouldI contact my healthcare provider?
 You thinkyouare havinganallergicreaction.Contactyourhealthcare providerbefore youtake
anotherdose of your antibiotic.
 You have a rash.
 You have a fever.
 You have a sore throat or swollenglands.Youwill feelhardlumpswhenyoutouchyourthroat if
your glandsare swollen.
 Your skinitchesandbecomesredwhenyouare in sunlight.
 You have questionsorconcernsaboutyourcondition,allergy,orcare.
Care Agreement
You have the rightto helpplanyour care.Learn aboutyour healthconditionandhow itmaybe treated.
Discusstreatmentoptionswithyourcaregiverstodecide whatcare youwant to receive.Youalways
have the right to refuse treatment.The above informationisaneducational aidonly.Itisnotintended
as medical advice forindividual conditionsortreatments. Talktoyourdoctor,nurse or pharmacist
before followinganymedical regimentosee if itissafe andeffective foryou.
For more informationvisitusourwebsite:http://www.healthinfi.com