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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA drug allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a medication. A number of drugs can cause a drug allergy, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. The most common signs of a drug allergy are hives, rash or fever. You can have an allergic reaction to a drug even if it caused no reaction in the past.
Most drug-related symptoms are not a true drug allergy and don't involve the immune system. Allergic and nonallergic drug reactions are often confused because they can cause similar symptoms. Either type is called an adverse drug event and needs to be checked by a doctor. Some allergic and nonallergic drug reactions can be severe or life-threatening.
- Celik J. Drug allergy. In: Adkinson NF. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/1461724933/0/1806/72.html?tocnode=56310767&fromURL=72.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00068-1_2330. Accessed Sept 12, 2009.
- Tips to remember: Adverse reactions to medications and drug allergy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/adversereactions.stm. Accessed Sept. 12, 2009.
- Li JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 20, 2009.
- Montanaro A. Allergies to sulfonamide antibiotics and related drugs. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2009
- Siegrist, CA. Mechanisms underlying adverse reactions to vaccines. Journal of Comparative Pathology. 2007;137:S46.
- Adverse drug reactions. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec02/ch015/ch015a.html. Accessed Sept 12, 2009.
