If you are among the many who endure symptoms after taking medications, you might be suffering from a drug allergy. This is because your immune system can overreact when you take medicines and produce antibodies which can trigger an allergic reaction. Gilbert drug allergy specialists at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD, can help you understand your condition and manage it effectively. However, it would be best to learn more about this condition to differentiate it from medication’s side effects.

Why Drug Allergies Happen

Your immune system is designed to protect you from diseases by fighting invaders such as bacteria, parasites, viruses, or other hazardous substances. However, the immune system can mistake a drug entering your body for the invaders and take it as a threat. This will lead to the production of antibodies, the particular proteins designed to attack the invaders. As they attack the medications, you can experience an allergic reaction and may lead to increased inflammation.

Common Symptoms of a Drug Allergy

As mentioned earlier, your antibodies may attack the drug you take, causing inflammation. This may cause the following symptoms about an hour after taking medicine.

  •       Hives
  •       Itching
  •       Skin rash
  •       Shortness of breath
  •       Swelling
  •       Fever
  •       Itchy, watery eyes
  •       Runny nose
  •       Wheezing

The severity of a Drug Allergy

A drug allergy is not always severe. Sometimes the symptoms can be too mild or hard for you to notice them. You may only experience a slight rash that fades away in no time. However, sometimes a drug allergy can be life-threatening, causing complications such as anaphylaxis. This is a severe whole-body reaction to some medications or other allergens, which can occur a few minutes after taking the medicine or after 12 hours. You can experience symptoms such as:

  •       Unconsciousness
  •       Swelling
  •       Breathing complications
  •       Irregular heartbeats

Differences Between Side Effects and Drug Allergy

It is good to differentiate between the side effects of certain drugs and a drug allergy. Different drugs have different side effects that affect anyone who takes the medications. However, not everyone has allergic reactions after taking medicine. The side effect is any result of the drugs, which can be harmful but does not relate to its primary role.

A drug allergy involves the immune system and often causes adverse effects, while a side effect typically does not include the immune system.

Common Medications Associated with Drug Allergies

Put in mind that different drugs will have unlikely effects on diverse people, and any medicine can cause an allergic reaction. However, some drugs tend to cause more allergic reactions compared to others. These include:

  •       Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen
  •       Aspirin
  •       Antibiotics such as penicillin and sulfa antibiotics
  •       Drugs used in monoclonal antibody therapy
  •       Anticonvulsants
  •       Chemotherapy drugs

Managing Drug Allergies

When you experience drug allergy symptoms, you should seek medical assistance to diagnose your condition. Your provider can use a skin prick or intradermal skin test to diagnose your condition accurately. Once the drug allergy is identified, the treatment option will depend on the severity of your condition.

You may need to replace the drug entirely, and your provider will help you replace it with another one. Other medications can also be prescribed to help you control your reaction. However, if you have an allergic reaction from a drug you need to take, you may be taken through a desensitization procedure to help you keep on taking the medications.

Whatever symptoms you are experiencing after taking your medications, you should seek expert care for diagnosis. Reach out to Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD today for help.