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Allergic Reaction to Medication

Written by Robert A Wilson

Thursday, 15 February 2007

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When a medication causes an allergic reaction, it is referred to as drug hypersensitivity. For reasons not completely understood, the immune system, (the body's defense system), sees a particular medication as a "foreign" substance. When this drug is injected or swallowed, the immune system reacts by developing antibodies (special proteins in the blood designed to render this foreign substance harmless). When another dose of the same drug is given, these antibodies are already prepared to respond. It is this response that causes the allergic reaction and symptoms. Allergic reactions can also occur the first time a drug is given. Risk increases with a history of other allergies, including asthma, hay fever, and food allergies; with the use of certain antibiotics, especially penicillin and cephalosporin; sulfa drugs; some anesthetics; iodine compounds; contrast dyes used in special X-rays; allergy extracts; animal serums, and some vaccines.

Symptoms may include:

Rash, hives; itching; flushed skin
Swelling of the hands, feet, face or throat and difficulty breathing
Anxiety, fever, joint pain, nerve damage
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
Photosensitivity (a skin reaction to sunlight) may occur as a side effect to some drugs; however, this is not considered a true hypersensitivity reaction
Anaphylaxis (severe reaction) - Swelling of face and throat that may block the airway. This requires immediate medical attention!

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Last Updated ( Friday, 08 February 2008 )

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