Showing posts with label Drug Allergy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drug Allergy. Show all posts

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Prevention Of Drug Allergy

If you have had possible drug allergy, skin test can help determine whether certain. Tests for penicillin allergy are usually more reliable skin tests for allergies are other drugs.

When you know you have a drug allergy, you should avoid drugs and other similar substances. Tell all your healthcare professionals, including your dentist if your drug allergies. If you are in an accident, you can wear a medical ID bracelet to alert emergency workers know about your allergy.

Treatment Of Drug Allergy

Treating drug allergies usually involves stopping the medication. Also may need medication to relieve symptoms or in the case of a serious reaction, emergency care.

Minor reactions such as rashes or hives can be improved with a counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others). Call your doctor before using over-the-counter medications to make sure you get the treatment you need.

Severe reactions may require treatment with corticosteroids by mouth or by injection in hospital. Seek emergency treatment if you have severe rashes or hives, swelling, shortness of breath, dizziness or other signs or symptoms of a serious reaction.

Anaphylaxis is an emergency requiring an immediate injection of epinephrine and hospital treatment to maintain blood pressure and breathing support.

Desensitization

In some cases, the sensitivity to a drug should be reduced by starting with a small dose and gradually increase over time. It can take from one to 10 days and is usually done under medical supervision of the doctor's office, hospital or clinic of allergy. Generally, this happens only when you are allergic to a drug and a satisfactory alternative to is not available.

Symptoms Of Drug Allergy

Most allergic reactions will begin as soon as the drug. However, you can develop an allergic reaction to the drug after it was up to several weeks.

The symptoms of allergy drugs include:

Rash

Urticaria (hives)

Fever

Swelling of the face

Difficulty breathing

Dizziness

Anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is rare, but it is the most serious allergic reaction to drugs and is a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis symptoms usually begin within minutes of exposure to a drug. Medicines that you put on your skin can take longer to cause a reaction. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

Tightening (constriction) of respiratory and throat, causing breathing difficulties

Shock, a severe drop in blood pressure

Weakness, rapid pulse

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

You can have an allergic reaction to a drug that has caused problems in the past.

If you have an allergic reaction to drugs, the immune system responds to drugs harmful invaders. This causes the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms. The immune system then becomes the key to react the same way, if you take the drug again in the future. However, changes in the immune system over time, and, finally, you can drug your allergies may go away by themselves.

When to see a doctor

Talk to your doctor if you have a reaction to a medication, or if you have signs or symptoms of a drug allergy.

Call your doctor if you have a reaction after taking a drug. Mild allergic reactions are usually treated by stopping the drug and substitute another. If possible, ask your doctor when the allergic reaction is happening. This will help identify the cause and make sure you get treatment if necessary.

Try to treat the signs of a severe reaction or anaphylaxis after the suspected drug. Signs and symptoms of adverse reactions in an emergency are:

Of the airways or throat

Rapid pulse

Dizziness

Dizziness

Loss of consciousness

Causes Of Drug Allergy

A drug allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a drug as if it were a harmful substance instead of a remedy. Your immune system creates antibodies to attack the drug then. The chemicals released by these antibodies cause the signs and symptoms associated with allergic reactions.

It is unclear why some people develop allergies to medicines or other adverse drug reactions and not others. Heritable traits can play a role, with environmental factors and take a number of drugs over time.

Allergy to antibiotics

The most common drug allergy is caused by penicillin antibiotics closely related to penicillin and antibiotics containing sulfa. Antibiotics can also cause non-allergic reactions such as skin rashes and digestive problems.

Vaccine allergy

Rarely, allergic reactions after vaccination. In some cases, allergic reactions can be caused by the vaccine itself, but more often an allergic reaction is caused by the other vaccine components such as egg or neomycin. Allergic reactions to vaccines are common, but in most cases are mild and symptoms improve quickly.

Side effects in non-allergic

In most cases, there seems to be a drug allergy is a reaction that does not involve the immune system. While they may seem like an allergy, most often side effects is a side effect of drugs or evidence of sensitivity to drugs - not an allergic reaction.

Examples of drugs that commonly cause allergic reactions are:

X-ray contrast medium. Some people are sensitive to intravenous (IV) is used instead of X-rays in some tests. This reaction can cause itching, redness, and decreased blood pressure.

Aspirin and other NSAIDs. In some people, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others), and others may cause breathing difficulties, skin rashes and itching wheezing.

Antibiotics. Some antibiotics often cause reactions such as upset stomach or diarrhea.

High blood pressure medications. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) can sometimes result in swelling of the lips, tongue and face.

Drug Allergy Overview

DRUG ALLERGY
A drug allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a drug. A number of drugs can cause an allergic drug, including prescription drugs and OTC. The most common signs of drug allergy are hives, rash or fever. You can have an allergic reaction to medication, although it caused no reaction in the past.

Most drug-related symptoms are not a true drug allergy and does not affect the immune system. Allergic reactions and non-allergic drugs are often confused because they can cause similar symptoms. Each type is called an adverse event and should be checked by a doctor. Some allergic reactions to medications and allergies can be serious or even fatal.