Of all the drugs, namely antibiotics are often capable of causing allergic reaction. It should be noted that allergic reaction to antibiotics is very common among patients of any age group.

1. ALLERGIC REACTION TO ANTIBIOTICS
Of all the drugs,namelyantibioticsare oftencapable of causingallergicreaction.Itshouldbe notedthat
allergicreactiontoantibioticsisverycommonamongpatientsof anyage group.
According to scientists, allergicreactionto antibioticsmay developdue to the followingfactors:
 age andsex of the patient
 constitutional peculiarities
 geneticpredisposition
 presence of preexistingallergicreactions
 frequentrepeatedcoursesof the same drug
 prolongedparenteral administrationof antibioticsinhighdoses
It isbelievedthatthe riskof allergicreactiontoantibioticsisseveraltimeshigherinchildren,whose
parentssufferfromallergytodrugs.Generally,allergiesinchildrenandelderare milderthanin adults.
Allergiesininfantsare frequentlycharacterizedbysuchsymptoms,asskinrash,diarrhea,feverand
abdominal discomfort.Manyparentsdonot know whatto do, whentheynotice thattheirchildhas
these symptoms.
The firstthingto do inan allergicreactiontoantibioticsinchildrenistostoptakingthe drug.When
symptomsare clearlypronounced,the babymaybe givenantihistaminesorenterosorbents.Then
parentsshouldcontacta medical institution,where the childwill receive qualitycare.
It shouldbe notedthatthe allergicreactiontoantibioticsinadults,andespeciallyinpregnantwomen,
can occur withseriouscomplications.The symptomsof allergiesmanifestusuallywithinthe first24
hoursin the formof itching,Quincke’soedema, hypotension,arrhythmia,rash,muscle pain.
In suchsymptoms,patientshouldstopusingthe antibiotic,take anantihistamine andseekmedical
advice.Treatmentdurationof allergicreactiontoantibioticswill dependonthe severityof allergy
symptoms.
Mildformsof skinrash can be treatedwithantihistaminesorcorticosteroidointmentsincombination
withsedatives.Patientsare recommendedtouse inhalersforcontrollingsuchsymptoms,ascough,
shortnessof breathandwheezing.
Three types of allergicreactionsto antibioticsare distinguishedbythe time of theirdevelopment:
 immediate (manifestedwithin1hour)
 accelerated(manifestedwithin72hours)
 late-onset(manifestingafter7days,and evenafter10 days)

2. It mustbe saidthat sometimesallergicreactiontoantibioticscanlastfor a longtime and itstreatment
requiressome time.Asarule,the durationof treatmentdependsonthe geneticcharacteristicsof the
patientandthe dose of the antibioticadministered.
Allergicreactiontoantibioticsmaybe unpredictable.Therefore,theyshouldbe usedwithcaution.
Fortunately,todayyoucanfindan appropriate replacementforanyantibiotic,towhichthe patienthas
an allergicreaction.Andthenthe treatmentwithantibioticwillbe effective and safe.
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
 Hivesorwelts
 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,rather
than an allergicreaction.
Your doctor can usuallydiagnose allergicreactionstoantibioticsbytalkingtoyou.He or she mayrefer
youto an allergyspecialist,whomayaskfor skinallergyandbloodtests.

3. If you have any otherconcernsaboutantibiotics,includingpossible side effects, contactyourdoctor.
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?
Mildsymptomsinclude red,itchy,flaky,orswollenskin.Youmayhave a flat,redarea onyour skinthat is
coveredwithsmall bumps.Youmayalsohave hives.
Severe symptomsincludeskinthatblistersorpeels,visionproblems,andsevere swellingoritching.
Severe reactionsinclude conditionssuchastoxicepidermal necrolysis(TEN).Askyourhealthcare
providerformore informationonTEN and otherseriousconditions.
Anaphylaxissymptomsinclude throattightness,troublebreathing,tingling,dizziness,andwheezing.
Anaphylaxisisasudden,life-threateningreactionthatneedsimmediate treatment.Anaphylaxismay
occur if you exercise 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 is an antibioticmedicationallergydiagnosed?
Your healthcare providerwill askaboutyourmedical historyandallergies.Youmayneedadditional
testingif youdevelopedanaphylaxisafteryouwere exposedtoatriggerand then exercised.Thisis
calledexercise-inducedanaphylaxis.Youmayalsoneedanyof the following:
 Bloodtests:Youmayneedbloodtakentogive caregiversinformationabouthow yourbodyis
working.The bloodmaybe takenfromyour hand,arm, or IV.
 A patch testmeansasmall amountof the antibioticisputon yourskin.The area iscoveredwith
a patch that stayson for 2 days.Thenyour healthcare providerwillcheckyourskinfora
reaction.
 A skinpricktestmeansasmall dropof the antibioticisputonyour forearmand yourskinis
prickedwitha needle.Yourhealthcare providerwillwatchfora reaction.

4.  How isan allergicreactiontoan antibiotictreated?Anintradermal testmeansasmall amountof
antibioticliquidisputunderthe surface of yourskin.Your healthcare providerwill watchfora
reaction.
 A drug provocationtestisalsoknownasanantibioticchallenge test.Yourhealthcare provider
givesyouincreasingdosesof the antibioticmedicineandwatchesfora reaction.
 Antihistaminesdecrease mild symptomssuchasitchingora rash.
 Epinephrineismedicine usedtotreatsevere allergicreactionssuchasanaphylaxis.
 Steroidsreduce inflammation.
 Desensitizationmaybe done afteryouhave areaction,if youneedtobe treatedwiththe
antibioticagain. Yourhealthcare providerwill giveyousmall dosesof the antibioticoverafew
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?
 Immediatelygive1shotof epinephrine onlyintothe outerthighmuscle.
 Leave the shotin placeasdirected.Yourhealthcare providermayrecommendyouleave itin
place for upto 10 secondsbefore youremove it.Thishelpsmake sure all of the epinephrine is
delivered.
 What safetyprecautionsdoIneedtotake if I am at riskfor anaphylaxis?
 Keep2 shotsof epinephrinewithyouatall times.Youmayneedasecondshot,because
epinephrine onlyworksforabout20 minutesandsymptomsmayreturn.Yourhealthcare
providercanshowyou andfamilymembershow togive the shot.Checkthe expirationdate
everymonthandreplace itbefore itexpires.
 Create an actionplan.Yourhealthcare providercanhelpyoucreate a writtenplanthatexplains
the allergyandan emergencyplantotreata reaction.The planexplainswhentogive asecond
epinephrine shotif symptomsreturnordo notimprove afterthe first.Give copiesof the action
planand emergencyinstructionstofamilymembers,workandschool staff,anddaycare
providers.Showthemhowtogive ashot of epinephrine.
 Be careful whenyouexercise.If you have hadexercise-inducedanaphylaxis,donotexerciseright
afteryou eat.Stopexercisingrightawayif youstartto developanysignsorsymptomsof
anaphylaxis.Youmayfirstfeel tired,warm, orhave itchyskin.Hives,swelling,andsevere
breathingproblemsmaydevelopif youcontinuetoexercise.
 Carry medical alertidentification.Wearmedical alertjewelryorcarry a card that says 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.Alwaystell yourhealthcare providersthe names
of medicinesthatyouare allergictoand the symptomsof your allergicreactions.

5.  Askif you needtoavoidothermedicines.Youmaybe allergictoothermedicinesif youhadan
allergicreactiontoan antibiotic.Make sure youknow the namesof othermedicinesthatyou
shouldnottake.
such as trouble breathing,swellinginyourmouthorthroat, or wheezing.Youmayalsohave itching,a
rash, hives,orfeel likeyouare goingtofaint.
 WhenshouldIseekimmediatecare?
 You have a rash withitchy,swollen,redspots.
 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.
Medicines:
 Epinephrineisusedtotreatsevere allergicreactionssuchasanaphylaxis.
 Antihistaminesdecreasemildsymptomssuchasitchingor a rash.
 Steroidsreduce inflammation.
 Take your medicine asdirected.Contactyourhealthcare providerif youthinkyourmedicine is
not helpingorif youhave side effects.Tell himof herif youare allergictoanymedicine.Keepa
listof the medicines,vitamins,andherbsyoutake.Include the amounts,andwhenandwhyyou
take them.Bringthe list orthe pill bottlestofollow-upvisits.Carryyourmedicine listwithyouin
case of an emergency

6. Safety precautionsto take if you are 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 shotif 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.Always tellyourhealthcare providersthe names
of medicinesthatyouare allergictoand the symptomsof your allergicreactions.
 Askif you needtoavoidothermedicines.Youmaybe allergictoothermedicinesif youhadan
allergicreactiontoan antibiotic. Make sure youknow the namesof othermedicinesthatyou
shouldnottake.
An antibioticmedicationallergy
isa harmful reactiontoan antibiotic.The reactioncanstart soonafteryou take the medicine,ordaysor
weeksafteryoustop.Healthcare providerscannotknow aheadof time if youwill have anallergic
reaction.Yourimmune systemmaybecome sensitive to the antibioticthe firsttime youtake it.You may
have an allergicreactionthe nexttime.The antibioticsmostlikelytocause an allergicreactionare
penicillinsandcephalosporins.
Common signsand symptoms:
 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 conditions suchastoxicepidermal necrolysis(TEN).Askyour
healthcare providerformore informationonTEN and otherseriousconditions.

7.  Anaphylaxissymptomsincludethroattightness,trouble breathing,tingling,dizziness,and
wheezing.Anaphylaxisisasudden,life-threateningreactionthatneedsimmediatetreatment.
Anaphylaxismayoccurif youexercise afterexposuretoa trigger,suchas afteryou take an
antibiotic.
Seekcare immediatelyif:
 You have a rash withitchy,swollen,redspots.
 You have blisters,oryourskinispeeling.
 You have trouble swallowingoryourvoice soundshoarse.
 You have a fast or poundingheartbeat.
 Your skinor the whitesof youreyesturnyellow.
Contact your healthcare providerif:
 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.
Stepsto 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.
 Treatment
 dependsonhowsevere yourreactionwasandif youhad a reactionbefore.Youmayneedany
of the following:
 Antihistaminesdecreasemildsymptomssuchasitchingor a rash.
 Epinephrineismedicine usedtotreatsevere allergicreactionssuchasanaphylaxis.
 Steroidsreduce inflammation.
 Desensitizationmaybe done afteryouhave a reaction,if youneedtobe treatedwiththe
antibioticagain.Yourhealthcare providerwill giveyousmall dosesof the antibioticoverafew
hours.He will treatanyallergicreactionthatyouhave.The dose isincreaseda little ata time

8. until the full dose isreachedandthe medicine stopscausinganallergicreaction.Youwill have
to take a dose of the antibioticeverydaytokeepyourbodydesensitized.
 Safetyprecautionstotake if youare at riskfor anaphylaxis:
 Keep2 shotsof epinephrinewithyouatall times.Youmay needasecondshot,because
epinephrine onlyworksforabout20 minutes andsymptomsmayreturn.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 shotif 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.
For more informationvisitusourwebsite:http://www.healthinfi.com