Drug Allergies

Drug allergies are an abnormal immune system reaction to a medication. The medication can be over-the-counter, herbal, or prescribed. Some medicines are more likely to cause drug allergies than others. If your immune system sees a medicine as harmful, it develops antibodies to fight against it. This creates an allergic reaction.

The most common symptoms of a drug allergy include fever, itching, runny nose, and hives soon after taking the medication. Some reactions to medication, like rashes, can show up hours, days, even weeks later.

Some people have drug allergies that cause severe reactions affecting their whole body. These reactions include anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis symptoms include shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea. Anaphylaxis can cause a loss of consciousness, seizures, and death if left untreated.

You might confuse drug allergies with drug side effects. They can be similar, but they aren’t the same. Side effects are known reactions that some people experience when taking a specific medication. Possible side effects are provided on the medication’s label.

If you suspect that you have drug allergies, make an appointment at ENT & Allergy Specialists of VA, PC for diagnosis and treatment.

Anyone can have an allergic reaction to a medication, but a few things can increase your risk of drug allergies. These risk factors include having:

• Other allergies, including those to food and pollen
• Family or personal history of drug allergies
• Certain illnesses, like HIV or the Epstein-Barr virus

Drug allergies can also develop over time due to prolonged use or high doses of the medication.