If certain medications make your skin eruptions with hives, cause light-headedness,giddiness, nausea, difficulty breathing or stomach cramps, or make your throat or mouth swell, it may well  be due to a drug allergy. Symptoms can begin within moments of ingesting a drug or up to many hours later.

Medications that in majority condition often cause a reaction include:  

• Antibiotics
• Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen 
• Drugs utilized in anesthesia 
• Insulin (rarely) 
• Anticancer drugs

The majority of severe allergic reactions to medications usually happen when the medication is given as intravenously (directly into a vein).  Not every reaction to a medicine may be a drug allergy. An allergy is an IgE mediated response by the body to an allergen. For detail reading click here

If you develop rashes, flushing, or hives within a short period of taking a drug, consult a certified/authorized allergist. If symptoms are severe and involve multiple body organs – a skin rash, respiratory problems, and/or digestive issues – it may be anaphylaxis. Call and visit the emergency department immediately. Then you must schedule a visit with the allergist and get tested for a drug allergy.  

If the diagnosis is confirmed, ask the allergist to try to do the following:  

• prescribe you two epinephrine auto-injectors 
• make a listing of safe medications 
• work with you to make an Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan for treating also preventing future reactions. 

Penicillin is the commonest drug allergy and true penicillin allergy is serious – it kills 400 people a year. Anyone who is allergic to any type of penicillin should be considered allergic to all penicillin and must avoid the complete medication group.

These people should wear penicillin allergy bracelets for identification in emergency. This includes over 15 chemically related drugs like ampicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate and methicillin.  

Up to 10 percent of individuals report being allergic to penicillin, consistent with report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, recent studies reveal majority people who believe they’re allergic to penicillin may very well be able to readily use it – either because they never were truly allergic or because they lost sensitivity over time.  

Avoiding penicillin without an allergy diagnosis isn't the proper idea. Alternative antibiotics to penicillin – often called “broad spectrum” – could be less effective in treating an infection, can lead to unwanted side effects, or can be more costly. Don’t limit your treatment options – determine by confirming, whether you’re allergic.  

• The procedure is clear. First, the patient undergoes a series of skin prick tests using gradually increasing amounts of penicillin. A raised wheel at the area of the prick indicates an allergy.  
• If you're allergic to penicillin, confirm with your physician and pharmacist before taking any new medicine to verify it’s not penicillin-based.  

People can have various adverse reactions to drugs or medications, but most of those don't seem to be allergic reactions.  

A drug allergy is caused by a person’s immunity to thinking the medication is harmful. Illustrations of a medicine allergy may include anaphylaxis from an antibiotic, angioedema (swelling in layers of the skin) from an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor, or a ski rash from aspirin. However, most drug reactions aren't allergic reactions and don't involve the immune system.

Illustrations of reactions not involving the immune system include:  

• side effects 
• drug toxicity 
• drug interactions 

Once get a new prescription, it's a wise idea to read over the information packet insert and discuss questions with a doctor or pharmacist so you will able to understand its potential for causing a drug allergy, side effects or other forms of adverse drug reactions. It's also good practice to make a listing of medicines and their doses in a wallet and inform all healthcare providers when there are any changes.  

If an individual is experiencing any symptoms of anaphylaxis, it's important to follow your emergency plan, administer epinephrine (if available) and seek emergency care. For non-anaphylactic reactions, discuss the symptoms with a doctor to assist in determining what, if any, treatment or changes to treatment have to be made.  

People may be allergic to certain vaccines. Immediate hypersensitive reactions or anaphylaxis to vaccines are very rare, though.  

Reactions can include hives, swelling, cough, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Some may experience a decrease in BP. If symptoms are severe, the Primary line of treatment is epinephrine.  Anaphylaxis kit must be kept ready during any vaccination

Some people may experience swelling or pain at the body part of the vaccination, fatigue, or muscle or joint pain. These may not be allergic reactions. They're normal side effects to the vaccine because the body builds protection.