An Introduction To Allergies Caused By Medication

By Author: Rajesh Kumar
Total Articles: 17
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Usually manifested by skin reactions, the drug allergy is often-misdiagnosed. Avoidance behavior that ensues is not always justified and can be problematic. It is essential to achieve an allergy assessment in order to have proof.


What are the symptoms of allergies to medications?

The most common are Urticaria, followed by edema of the eyelids, generalized swelling of the face and the small buttons scattered all over the body that does not always itch. But the reactions are very heterogeneous and can also manifest as eczema, redness and extended with a fever or even cause asthma attacks or can touch deep organs such as kidneys or liver.


What are the drugs most often incriminated?

Penicillin, anti-inflammatory drugs (not containing cortisone) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, piroxicam and anesthetics such as curare, etc… The information of such drugs can be obtained from a contract research organization which regularly deals in clinical trials services ...
... or drug testing studies.


In case of allergy to a medication, what to do?

In case of skin reaction, it is necessary to stop the drug immediately and contact their doctor, who will guide quickly you to an allergist or to a specialist center if necessary. It is often useful to photograph the state of your skin. The allergist will conduct a thorough investigation: reaction time after taking the drug, taken with other medicines (syrup?), circumstances of the reaction (during a meal, exertion, exposure to the sun?), etc. If the role of the drug is confirmed, the exploration continues.


In case of allergic reaction of immediate type

Get the prick tests performed (introduction into the skin thickness of an extract allergen with a tiny tip, the positive reaction resulting in redness and itching) and possibly skin tests (skin introduction deepest of the extract). Interpretation of results can lead to practice other examinations (laboratory tests, provocation tests food?). But overall, if the test is positive, the person is diagnosed allergic, whereas if the test is negative, we proceed to a reintroduction in high medical supervision starting with very low doses and is stopped at the first sign of reaction. In the absence of reaction, the person is diagnosed non-allergic.


In case of non immediate allergic reaction

One dose of medication is placed on a dressing and the immediate reaction is observed, then 2, 3 and 8 days. If positive, the person is diagnosed allergic; otherwise it performs a test of reintroduction.


Tips if you are allergic to medicines

Wearable identity card of allergic indicating the molecule causing the allergic reaction
Read systematically records of drugs.
Know the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of the molecule to which one is allergic.
For example, the DCI of aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid.
To deliver by the doctor a list of all-risk products
For example, some mouthwashes, anti-dandruff shampoos or products against corns may contain aspirin.
Establish with doctor a list of medications you can take (more interesting than a list of drugs that you cannot take), to be updated over the years.