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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have an allergic reaction after taking an antibiotic in the penicillin family, you should:
- Stop taking the medication and ask your doctor about another antibiotic
- Avoid using penicillin in the future
Treatment for signs and symptoms you develop during an allergic reaction to penicillin depends on what kind of reaction you have.
- Anaphylaxis is the most rare and serious allergic drug reaction. It can be life-threatening and requires an injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) and emergency care to maintain blood pressure and support breathing.
- Rashes or hives may improve when treated with an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others). More severe reactions may require treatment with oral or injected corticosteroids.
References
- Yates A. Management of patients with a history of allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics. The American Journal of Medicine. 2008;121:572.
- Solensky R. Allergy to penicillins. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Karabus S, et al. Penicillin allergy in children. Current Allergy & Clinical Immunology. 2009;22:64.
- Solensky R. Patient information: Allergy to penicillin and related antibiotics. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 24, 2009.
- Inamdar R, et al. Penicillin hypersensitivity. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/members/allied_health/articlesofinterest/penicillin.stm. Accessed September 24, 2009.
- Pegler S, et al. In patients allergic to penicillin, consider second and third generation cephalosporins for life threatening infections. British Medical Journal. 2007;335:991.
