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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffDrug allergy treatment generally involves stopping the medication. You may also need medications to ease symptoms or, in the case of a serious reaction, emergency care.
- Minor reactions such as rashes or hives may improve with an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others). Call your doctor before using over-the-counter medications to make sure you're getting the treatment you need.
- Serious reactions may require treatment with oral or injected corticosteroids at the hospital. Seek emergency treatment if you have severe rashes or hives, swelling, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other signs or symptoms of a severe reaction.
- Anaphylaxis is an emergency requiring an immediate epinephrine injection and hospital care to maintain blood pressure and support breathing.
Desensitization
In some cases, sensitivity to a drug can be reduced by starting with a tiny dose and gradually increasing it over time. This can take from one to 10 days and is generally done with medical supervision at a doctor's office, hospital or allergy clinic. In general, this is done only when you're allergic to a drug and a satisfactory alternative to isn't available.
- 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.
