A drug allergy refers to an allergic reaction to a type of medicine. Drug allergies occur when the individual's immune system reacts violently to the otherwise harmless drug. The body will respond by producing large amounts of chemicals such as histamine to clear the foreign substance from the system. An adverse reaction to a drug could be a side effect, which can occur as your body gets used to the new medication.
If you are unsure, you can always consult a Gilbert drug allergy professional for a better opinion. Let the medical experts assist you with your drug allergy issues.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Drug Allergies?
Drug allergy symptoms refer to the effects when the drug triggers your immune system to react. The symptoms associated with drug allergies may take up to an hour to become observable after taking the drug. However, it could also take days or even weeks to appear.
The symptoms of drug allergies may range from mild to severe and include:
• Skin rashes
• Itchiness of the skin and eyes
• Swelling of the joints
• Fever
The symptoms can differ from individual to individual. Severe symptoms can lead to life-threatening reactions leading to anaphylaxis.
The symptoms of a severe drug allergy include:
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Increased heart rate
• Diarrhea
• Swelling of the lips and eyelids
• Loss of consciousness.
In case you are experiencing any of the symptoms that may indicate a severe drug allergy, it would be best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Over the counter antihistamine drugs and steroids don't always do the trick when trying to prevent or treat allergies.
What Are The Drugs Commonly Linked To Allergies?
Drug allergies can come about as a result of any drug. It could be caused by over-the-counter medication or even prescribed medication. However, some of the drugs that commonly cause allergic reactions in many individuals include:
• Anti-seizure drugs
• Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and codeine.
• Antibiotics like penicillin
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Autoimmune medication
What Are Nonallergic Drug Reactions?
A nonallergic hypersensitivity or pseudo allergic drug reaction occurs when a drug produces symptoms similar to those produced by a drug allergy. However, the drug reaction is not caused by the immune system. Some of the drugs that are most commonly associated with causing the condition include:
• Dyes used in x-rays
• Local anesthetics
• Opiates
What Are The Risk Factors Involving Allergic Reactions?
Although everyone can experience an allergic reaction to a drug, some factors can increase the risk of experiencing an allergic reaction. Some of these risk factors include:
• Prolonged use of a drug
• Diseases affecting the immune system such as AIDS
• Family history of drug allergies
• Other known allergies
How Can You Prevent Drug Allergies?
Prevention is the best when it comes to drug allergies. It helps to try and avoid a drug allergy altogether. Here are a few measures you can implement to protect yourself from a drug allergy:
- Ensure your health care provider is aware of your drug allergy before receiving any treatment.
- Ensure you have information about your drug allergy with you at all times. It could be in your wallet or the form of a bracelet and will be helpful in case you are taken to the hospital when in an unconscious state.
Conclusion
The doctors can prescribe alternatives if you are severely allergic to the drugs. When taken to the hospital, the doctors may administer medication to ease the symptoms. However, you may still need more emergency care, especially for anaphylaxis symptoms.
