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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffComplications of serious drug reactions can include:
- Anaphylaxis. This severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening and is a medical emergency.
- Drug-induced anemia. This occurs when a drug causes an immune system reaction that destroys blood cells.
- Serum sickness. Serum sickness can cause serious symptoms and lead to organ damage. Signs and symptoms include fever, rash and joint pain, usually starting two to four weeks after you begin taking a drug.
Drug reactions can result in:
- Taking a less effective medication. If you have an allergic or nonallergic adverse reaction to a medication, you may need switch to a medication that may not work as well.
- The need to use a drug that causes a reaction. If there's no other drug that works, you may need to use a drug that causes long-term, bothersome side effects.
References
- 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.
