Did you know patients react differently to drugs?

5% to 10% of adverse events are attributable to a pharmaceutical allergy.

Woman taking medication for hives, smiling, indoors, portrait

How Drug Allergy Treatment Can Help

Diagnostics & Testing

  • If you have a history of reactions to different medications or if you have a serious reaction to a drug, an allergist or immunologist has specialized training and testing experience to diagnose the problem and help you develop a plan to protect you in the future.
  • The signs and symptoms of a drug allergy can vary from patient to patient.
  • It can be challenging to determine if the reaction is due to the medication or something else in many cases.
  • Challenge tests are often performed to confirm a drug allergy.

Treatment Options

  • In most cases of adverse reactions, your physician can prescribe an alternative medication. For serious reactions, your doctor may provide antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine.
  • When no alternative is available and the medication is essential, a desensitization procedure to the medication may be recommended. This involves gradually introducing the medication in small doses until the therapeutic dose is achieved.

Communication is Key

  • Make sure your physician, dentist, and pharmacist are kept current regarding your drug allergies. This will help determine which medications should be avoided.