Antibiotic Medication Allergy
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.
An antibiotic medication allergy is a harmful reaction to an antibiotic. The reaction can start soon after you take the medicine, or days or weeks after you stop. Healthcare providers cannot know ahead of time if you will have an allergic reaction. Your immune system may become sensitive to the antibiotic the first time you take it. You may have an allergic reaction the next time. The antibiotics most likely to cause an allergic reaction are penicillins and cephalosporins.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE:
Informed consent
is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
An IV
is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
You may need extra oxygen
if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your healthcare provider before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.
Healthcare providers will check your vital signs.
Vital signs include blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. The providers will also ask about your pain.
Medicines:
- Epinephrine is used to treat severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis.
- Antihistamines decrease mild symptoms such as itching or a rash.
- Steroids reduce inflammation.
Blood tests:
You may need blood taken to give healthcare providers information about how your body is working.
Desensitization:
Desensitization may be done after you have a reaction, if you need to be treated with the antibiotic again. Your provider will give you small doses of the antibiotic over a few hours. He or she will treat any allergic reaction that you have. The dose is increased a little at a time until the full dose is reached and the medicine stops causing an allergic reaction. After desensitization, you will have to take a dose of the antibiotic every day to keep your body desensitized.
RISKS:
- After you have an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, you may always be allergic to that antibiotic. A severe allergy may cause trouble breathing or organ damage. An antibiotic medication allergy can cause serious conditions such toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and anaphylaxis. TEN can cause severe skin damage. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, life-threatening reaction that needs immediate treatment. Ask your provider for more information on TEN, anaphylaxis, and other serious reactions.
- Desensitization treatment may make your allergy worse. You may have a severe reaction to desensitization treatment. The desensitization treatment will need to be stopped.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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