Drug Allergy

A drug allergy happens when you have a harmful reaction to a medicine you use.  Most drug allergies are mild, and the symptoms go away within a few days after you stop using the medicine. But some drug allergies can be very serious.  The most common signs of a drug allergy are hives, rash or fever.

After you have an allergic reaction to a drug, you will probably always be allergic to that drug, as well as other drugs that are like it. You can have an allergic reaction to a drug even if it caused no reaction in the past.

Any medicine can cause an allergic reaction. A few of the most common ones are:

  • Penicillin’s (such as nafcillin, ampicillin, or amoxicillin).
  • Sulfa medicines.
  • Barbiturates.
  • Insulin.
  • Vaccines.
  • Anticonvulsants.
  • Medicines for hyperthyroidism.

Our practice routinely only tests for an allergy to penicillin. Please call our office if you suspect an allergy to another drug. (502) 429-8585