Drug allergy

Drug Allergy

Drug allergy (pronunciation: /drʌɡ ˈælərdʒi/) is a group of symptoms caused by an allergic reaction to a drug (medicine).

Etymology

The term "drug allergy" is derived from the Greek words "druggon" meaning "medicine" and "allergia" meaning "other than normal".

Definition

A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, often an antibiotic or pain reliever. Not all adverse reactions to drugs are allergies. In fact, over 90% are not allergies, but a range of side effects.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a drug allergy can range from mild to severe, and may include hives, rash, fever, and anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect various parts of the body at the same time.

Causes

Drug allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a drug as a harmful substance, similar to a virus or bacteria. This triggers an immune response, resulting in allergic symptoms.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a drug allergy is based on a detailed medical history, physical examination, and, in some cases, allergy testing. This may include skin tests or blood tests.

Treatment

Treatment for a drug allergy may include antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine, depending on the severity of the reaction. The best treatment, however, is to identify and avoid the drug that causes the allergic reaction.

Related Terms

• Adverse drug reaction
• Anaphylaxis
• Antibiotic
• Antihistamine
• Corticosteroid
• Epinephrine
• Hives
• Immune system
• Pain reliever
• Rash
• Skin test

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Drug allergy
• Wikipedia's article - Drug allergy

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