Addressing the Doubt! What Causes Drug Allergy? Essential Knowledge Before Taking Medication
A “drug allergy“ occurs when the body’s immune system becomes overly sensitive to a particular drug, leading to the display of allergic symptoms. These symptoms can be varied, such as skin rashes, hepatitis (liver inflammation), and other manifestations that can affect any system in the body. The symptoms and severity of a drug allergy depend on several factors, which may include the patient’s individual characteristics or the type of drug itself.
What are the Symptoms of a Drug Allergy?
A “drug allergy” can manifest in various ways, including rashes, hives, chest tightness, constricted bronchi (airways), low blood pressure (hypotension), swelling of the lips, face, and tongue, etc. However, most people tend to notice skin symptoms first, as they are easier to observe. Severe drug allergies can be life-threatening and may lead to serious complications, such as skin detachment, which can result in severe infection.
How Many Types of Drug Allergies Are There?
Drug allergic reactions can be divided into two main types, based on the time it takes for the reaction to occur:
Immediate Type: Symptoms appear within 1 hour after receiving the drug.
Non-Immediate Type: Symptoms appear more than 1 hour after receiving the drug.
Types of Drugs That Often Cause Allergic Reactions
The drugs that commonly cause allergic reactions include the Penicillin and Cephalosporin groups of antibiotics, the anti-gout medication Allopurinol, and anti-seizure medications such as Carbamazepine and Phenobarbital. Additionally, other drugs can cause allergies, including the NSAIDs group of pain relievers, particularly Ibuprofen, and anti-tuberculosis medications.
Groups at Risk of Drug Allergy
The group at risk of drug allergy includes patients with certain underlying conditions, such as those with abnormal immune systems or autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), patients with leukemia, and patients infected with viruses like HIV.
A key precaution for “drug allergy” is to monitor for symptoms within 1 hour after receiving the drug (to watch out for immediate-type reactions) and within 2-3 days after receiving the drug (to watch out for non-immediate-type reactions). If any abnormality occurs, such as a rash or hives, you should stop the medication and seek immediate medical attention. Importantly, most drug allergies are not genetic; it is not necessary that if parents have a drug allergy, their children will be allergic to the same drug.
What Should I Do If I Experience a Drug Allergy?
Stop the medication and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any abnormal symptoms within 1 hour or within 2-3 days after receiving the drug.
Bring the medication you received with you for the doctor’s review.
Take photos of the abnormality (such as the rash) for the doctor to review, as some rashes appear temporarily and then disappear.
Avoid self-inducing vomiting and do not buy over-the-counter antihistamines to treat the reaction yourself.
If you have a history of drug allergy, remember the name of the drug you are allergic to and inform the medical staff every time you receive treatment.
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