Drug Allergy

Drug Allergy

Drug allergy is an immunologically mediated hypersensitivity reaction to a medication that occurs when it is used again in a sensitized patient.

Which Medications Most Often Cause Allergies

Allergic reactions are most often caused by:

• antibiotics, especially penicillins and cephalosporins;
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
• local anesthetics (differential diagnosis is required when indicated);
• radiocontrast agents;
• some vaccines and biologics;
• latex used in the manufacture of medical gloves, catheters and other products.

How Drug Allergy Presents

An allergic reaction can develop immediately after taking a medication or several hours or even days later. The most common manifestations are:

• urticaria;
• angioedema;
• skin rash;
• itching;
• bronchospasm;
• anaphylaxis.

Diagnosis

In rare cases, severe allergic reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Lyell syndrome (toxic epidermal necrolysis) may occur. Diagnosis of drug allergy begins with a detailed review of the patient's complaints, medical history and the medications they take. If necessary, the physician may order:

• skin tests;
• specific IgE testing;
• the basophil activation test (BAT), a modern in vitro diagnostic method;
• provocation tests, performed only in a hospital setting.

Prevention

The choice of testing method depends on the suspected medication and the nature of the allergic reaction. Patients with a confirmed drug allergy are advised to carry an allergy passport or another medical document listing the medications that caused the allergic reaction.

If a medication from a risk group needs to be prescribed, the physician may recommend additional allergy testing to choose a safe treatment strategy.

KombiMED supplies equipment and consumables for laboratory diagnosis of allergic diseases, including modern solutions for in vitro diagnosis of drug allergy.