DMV Allergy & Asthma Center – Allergist Washington DC & Alexandria
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Drug Allergy
Navigating Allergic Responses to Medications and Ensuring Safe Healthcare
Effective Drug Allergy Treatment In Alexandria, VA & Washington, DC
If you are experiencing a reaction and symptoms to a medication you received and are taking, you may have a drug allergy. A drug allergy is an abnormal reaction to taking a medication by your immune system. Many times, the reaction can be mild, however, it is possible that a more severe reaction could occur. Some common reaction symptoms include rash, hives, and fever. The Team at DMV Allergy & Asthma is happy to help treat your drug allergy reaction and understand why it may have occurred to prevent it in the future.
FAQ on Drug Allergy
Drug allergies occur when your immune system has an abnormal reaction to a drug, or medication, that you take. Common symptoms include rash, hives, fever. However, more severe reactions could cause difficulty breathing, swelling, rapid heart rate, and even anaphylaxis.
Some common medications that cause reactions in patients are:
- Antibiotics (e.g., penicillin)
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Certain chemotherapy drugs
- Many others
At DMV Allergy & Asthma Center, we will diagnose your drug allergy using a comprehensive medical history, details about the reaction, and specialized testing. The testing could include skin tests or blood tests, which can identify the specific allergens that cause your reaction.
Treatment of drug allergies include the following:
- Discontinuing allergic medication
- Symptoms managed with antihistamines and/or corticosteroids
- Emergency medical attention for severe shock and reaction
- In severe cases, bronchodilators or epinephrine may be necessary.