Contents:
- Medical Video: Allergies - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
- How does the immune system work?
- What are the risk factors for drug allergy?
- Medications that cause allergic reactions
- What are the symptoms of a drug allergy?
- When to contact a doctor
- When to get emergency care
Medical Video: Allergies - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
Drug allergy is a term for a group of symptoms caused by an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions occur when your immune system mistakenly thinks that a drug is a dangerous substance and causes inflammation which is really harmful and not protecting you.
How does the immune system work?
When harmful substances, such as viruses or bacteria, enter your body, your immune system creates antibodies to fight off the invading infections. Antibodies are special proteins that are programmed to destroy certain substances.
Antibodies are also called immunoglobulins. There are various types of immunoglobulins. For example, immunoglobulin A (IgA) is concentrated in tears and saliva and helps to keep harmful substances from entering the related organs. IgM is very effective at marking bacteria as invaders and telling cells to kill them.
The immunoglobulin most often responsible for allergy symptoms is IgE. IgE tells your white blood cells to release histamine, which in turn causes many symptoms in your body.
After your immune system has programmed antibodies to recognize and fight certain substances, antibodies are always ready to multiply quickly and act every time a substance is detected. This is how you develop immunity to certain diseases. In this way you also experience allergies to certain substances, such as certain drugs.
What are the risk factors for drug allergy?
Anyone can be allergic to a drug or other substance. This can occur at any age. You may be allergic to drugs that have been used many times before without side effects. The reason why people experience drug allergies is not fully understood. However, the following factors can increase your risk:
- A weak immune system from such conditions HIV / AIDS or Epstein-Barr virus
- Other allergies
- Use several drugs at the same time
- Use the same dose of medicine frequently
- Use drugs similar to drugs that were previously used and have had an allergic reaction to the drug
You are at greater risk of experiencing a severe allergic reaction to the drug if you have:
- Heart disease
- Asthma
- High blood pressure
Medications that cause allergic reactions
You can experience allergies to almost any drug. Some drugs cause allergic reactions more often than others. These drugs include:
- Penicillin and antibiotics similar to penicillin (such as ampicillin and amoxicillin)
- Sulfa drug
- Insulin (especially if from animal sources)
- Cephalosporin (another type of antibiotic)
What are the symptoms of a drug allergy?
Common symptoms of drug allergies
During an allergic reaction, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Skin rash
- Itchy
- Itchy skin or eyes
- Fever
- Facial swelling
- Pain or swelling in the joints
- Blocked lymph nodes
- Hard to breathe
Symptoms of severe drug allergy
Anaphylactic is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylactic symptoms include:
- Narrowing of the throat which causes difficulty breathing
- Blood pressure is very low
- Fast and weak pulse
- Swelling of the lips, mouth, or eyelids
- Stomach ache
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Dizziness or light head
- Confusion
- Palpitations (the sensation of a fast or pounding heartbeat)
In many cases, drug allergies will not be visible the first time you use certain drugs. In fact, you can use the drug several times without any reaction. However, when allergies develop, symptoms usually appear as soon as you use the drug. Anaphylactic symptoms usually begin at times when using the drug.
When to contact a doctor
You should contact your doctor every time you experience unexpected symptoms of drug use. If you experience mild allergy symptoms, you can usually treat them by stopping the use of the drug; But you still need to consult with your doctor to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. If you can visit your doctor when you experience a reaction, this may help the doctor determine the cause of your symptoms and also determine the best treatment or to find a replacement drug.
When to get emergency care
If you experience severe symptoms of using a drug, you should immediately seek emergency medical care. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition. Symptoms of a serious reaction include:
- Swollen throat or rapid pulse constriction
- Dizzy
- Light head
- Lost consciousness
