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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
OverviewA drug allergy is the reaction of the immune system to a medicine. Any medicine — over-the-counter, prescription or herbal — can trigger a drug allergy. However, a drug allergy is more likely with certain medicines.The most common symptoms of drug allergy are hives, rash and fever. But a drug allergy also may cause serious reactions. This includes a severe, life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis.A drug allergy is not the same as a medicine side effect. A side effect is a known possible reaction to a medicine. Side effects to medicines are listed on their labels. A drug allergy also is different from drug toxicity. Drug toxicity is caused by an overdose of medicine. SymptomsSymptoms of a serious drug allergy often happen within an hour after taking a medicine. Other reactions, particularly rashes, can happen hours, days or weeks later.Drug allergy symptoms may include: Skin rash. Hives. Itching. Fever. Swelling. Shortness of breath. Wheezing. Runny nose. Itchy, watery eyes. AnaphylaxisAnaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening drug allergy reaction that causes widespread changes in the way body systems function. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Tightening of the airways and throat, causing trouble breathing. Nausea or belly cramps. Vomiting or diarrhea. Dizziness or lightheadedness. Weak, fast pulse. Drop in blood pressure. Seizure. Loss of consciousness. Other conditions resulting from drug allergyLess common drug allergy reactions happen days or weeks after exposure to a medicine and may last for some time after you stop taking the medicine. These include: Serum sickness, which may cause fever, joint pain, rash, swelling and nausea. Drug-induced anemia, a reduction in red blood cells, which can cause fatigue, irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath and other symptoms. Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, also called (DRESS), which results in rash, high white blood cell count, general swelling, swollen lymph nodes and hepatitis infection that comes back after being dormant. Inflammation in the kidneys, also called nephritis, which can cause fever, blood in the urine, general swelling, confusion and other symptoms. When to see a doctorCall 911 or emergency medical help if you experience signs of a severe reaction or suspected anaphylaxis after taking a medicine.If you have milder symptoms of a drug allergy, see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. CausesA drug allergy happens when the immune system mistakenly identifies a medicine as a harmful substance, such as a virus or bacterium. Once the immune system detects a medicine as a harmful substance, it develops an antibody specific to that medicine. This can happen the first time you take a medicine, but sometimes an allergy doesn't develop until there have been repeated exposures.The next time you take the medicine, these specific antibodies flag the medicine and direct immune system
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