Have you ever had a drug allergy? (Drug Allergy) Let's talk about this!

When we are sick or have a problem, we all take medicine to get better quickly. But sometimes, the very medicine we take to make us feel better can cause new problems for our bodies. Have you ever experienced something like itching, redness, and swelling all over your body after taking a medicine or taking an injection? If that happens, you may have a drug allergy . So today, let's talk about this in a little more detail . There is nothing to worry about, if we know these things properly, we can avoid big problems.

What is this drug allergy?

Simply put, a drug allergy is when your body's immune system overreacts to something in a medicine you take. Think of it like a group of guards inside our bodies, the immune system. Their job is to protect us by fighting off harmful substances like germs, bacteria, and viruses that enter our bodies.

But sometimes, these guards make a small mistake. They mistake a substance in a medicine that is actually supposed to help us for something harmful to the body. Then, when that medicine enters the body, the immune system starts to fight that "harmful invader." The result of this fight is the symptoms mentioned earlier, such as itching and burning.

The first time you take that medicine, you may not feel anything. But deep down, your immune system remembers that medicine as an "enemy." The next time you take that medicine, it thinks, "Oh... this is the enemy from before," and it releases special soldiers called antibodies to fight it off. This is what actually happens in a drug allergy.

Very important: Some drug allergies can be life-threatening . If you or someone you know develops severe symptoms after taking a drug, such as a swollen tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or loss of consciousness, you need to take action immediately!

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* Immediately call 1990 or your local emergency number.

* Go to the nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible.

What types of medications can cause drug allergies?

Although any medication can cause an allergic reaction, there are a few medications that are most likely to cause allergic reactions. They are:

• Antibiotics: Especially the type called `Penicillin`. Many people are said to be allergic to this.
• Sulfa drugs: This is also a type of antibiotic. It contains `Sulfonamides`.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):These are the medicines we usually take for pain, fever, and body aches. Examples include `Ibuprofen` (e.g. Advil®), `Aspirin` (e.g. Bayer®), and `Naproxen` (e.g. Aleve®).
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol®): A paracetamol-type medicine that we often use.
• Opiates: These are strong painkillers. Examples include `Morphine`, `Codeine`.
• Chemotherapy drugs: Medicines given to cancer patients.
• Antiseizure medications.
• Contrast material (dye) used to obtain clear images in some X-ray and CT scan tests.

What medicine causes the most allergies?

Penicillin is reportedly the most common drug that causes allergies. Approximately 10% of people say they are allergic to penicillin. However, new studies show that some penicillin allergies can go away over time.

How common are drug allergies?

Any unexpected or unpleasant reaction to a medicine is called an adverse drug reaction . Less than 10% of these adverse drug reactions are actually drug allergies. More than 90% are side effects . Side effects are expected reactions that are not related to your immune system but are caused by something in the medicine. For example, some medicines make you feel sleepy or have a stomachache.

What are the symptoms of a drug allergy?

Allergy symptoms usually begin within a few minutes of taking a medicine. These symptoms and their severity can vary from person to person.

Mild allergy symptoms:

• Itchy body.
• Watery eyes (epiphora).
• Skin irritation or a skin rash. It can be red, like eczema, and may appear as small blisters.
• Hives: These are red, itchy bumps that appear suddenly on the skin.
• Runny nose.
• Swelling (Angioedema): Areas around the eyes, lips, and tongue may swell.

Symptoms of severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis):

This is the most dangerous situation. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Symptoms include:

• Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia).
• Difficulty breathing. You may feel like your throat is constricted and you may feel like you are suffocating.
• Dizziness or feeling light-headed.
• Low blood pressure.
• Increased heart rate.
• Feeling anxious or restless.
• Loss of consciousness.

Late symptoms:

In rare cases, allergic symptoms may appear several days, or even weeks, after taking a medicine. These symptoms may also persist for several days after stopping the medicine. Delayed symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Skin rash.
• Joint pain or joint swelling.
• Low red blood cell count (anemia) or low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
• Abnormalities in the number of white blood cells in the blood (`Leukocytosis` or `Leukopenia`) or an increase in the number of eosinophils (`Eosinophilia`).
• Decreased kidney (Nephritis) or liver (Hepatitis) function.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Why does this medicine cause allergies?

If you have a drug allergy, when you first take the drug (this is called sensitization), your immune system makes a special type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). The job of these IgE antibodies is to recognize harmful substances that enter the body and help get rid of them. There are different types of IgE in our bodies, each of which targets specific allergens.

These IgE antibodies go and stay in our skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) on cells that contain a chemical called ``histamine'' (also called ``mast cells''). The next time you take that allergy medicine, those IgE antibodies go and attach to the allergen in that medicine. Then those mast cells are signaled to release histamine and other chemicals. This histamine is what causes the immediate allergic symptoms (such as itching, hives). These usually occur within a few minutes.

Also, a type of white blood cell called `T-cells` in our body can sometimes cause an allergic reaction. These T-cells recognize the drug as "foreign" and attach to it. This reaction occurs more slowly, and mainly affects the skin (such as hives, an itchy rash).

How long does it take for symptoms of a drug allergy to appear?

It varies from person to person. Some people may experience an allergic reaction the first time they take the medicine. For others, allergic symptoms may appear the second time, or after several uses.

Are drug allergies contagious?

No, drug allergies are not contagious. You cannot pass on a drug allergy to someone else.

Who can be allergic to this medicine?

Anyone can develop a drug allergy. However, if your parents have had drug allergies, you are more likely to develop them or develop them in the future. This means there may be a genetic link.

How do you know for sure if you have a drug allergy?

An allergist, a doctor who specializes in allergies, can accurately diagnose a drug allergy. He or she will perform various tests to determine whether you really have a drug allergy and, if so, what the best treatment is.

Before examining you, the doctor will ask about your medical history and may also ask questions like:

• When did you first experience these symptoms?
• What are your symptoms?
• How long have those symptoms been present?
• Did you take any medication to reduce your symptoms?
• Have you had to go to a doctor or hospital because of these symptoms?
• Do you take vitamins or herbal supplements?
• Does anyone in your family have any drug allergies?
• What medications are you currently taking (including those you can get from the pharmacy without a prescription)?
• What medications have you used in the past few weeks?
• Have you had similar reactions to other medications before?

What tests are used to diagnose allergies?

Depending on the medication you suspect is causing your allergy, your doctor may recommend a skin test . This is especially useful for diagnosing allergies to penicillin-type medications.

A skin prick test involves your doctor injecting a very small amount of the medication you think you may be allergic to into your skin. Usually, they clean a small area of ​​your skin, such as the back of your hand or upper arm, and then use a very fine needle (lancet) to prick the medication into your skin.

Results are usually seen within 15 minutes. If you have an allergy, the area where the medicine was applied may turn red and a raised bump (wheal) may appear, similar to a mosquito bite. If this happens, it means you may be allergic to the medicine.

In some limited cases, doctors may also order blood tests . A blood test may be useful, especially if it is a severe, delayed allergic reaction, and if the doctor suspects that multiple organ systems in the body have been affected.

How do you treat a drug allergy?

Your doctor may suggest treatments such as:

• Stop taking the medicine that caused the allergy immediately: Once the medicine is out of your system, your symptoms should gradually subside. If you were taking the medicine to treat another condition, your doctor will prescribe a different medicine that you are not allergic to.
• Antihistamines:These medications work by blocking the effects of histamines produced in your body, which reduces symptoms like itching and hives.
• Corticosteroids: These are anti-inflammatory medications that help reduce swelling and redness caused by allergies.
• Bronchodilators: These medications relieve symptoms related to your lungs (such as difficulty breathing).
• Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®): If you have a severe drug allergy (such as anaphylaxis), your doctor may prescribe this device for you. The medicine epinephrine quickly reverses the symptoms of anaphylaxis. Your doctor will explain how to use it and when to use it.
• Allergy desensitization: In this treatment, a doctor gives you very small amounts of the allergen. Over time, your immune system becomes accustomed to the allergen and stops responding to it. The doctor gradually increases the dose over a period of hours, sometimes days, until your body can tolerate the allergen without any allergic reactions.

How long does a drug allergy last?

Most people recover within a few hours of stopping the medication that caused the allergy. However, in rare cases, it can take weeks, or even months, for symptoms to completely disappear.

What happens if you have a drug allergy?

A drug allergy cannot be completely cured. However, you can control your symptoms by avoiding the drugs you know you are allergic to and by taking medications that reduce your immune system's response.

Can drug allergies be prevented?

If you have a drug allergy, the only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the drug you are allergic to and similar medications.

It is very important to keep a record of your drug allergies in your medical records so that doctors can be aware of them before prescribing medications to you in the future, thereby reducing the risk of an allergic reaction.

How do I take care of myself?

If you have a drug allergy, be sure to inform your doctor before undergoing any treatment (whether it's going to the dentist or undergoing surgery).

It's also a good idea to keep information about your drug allergies with you so that others can know if you're unable to communicate in an emergency. There are several ways to do this:

• Keep a record of your health in a health app on your smartphone. Make sure you can access this information from your lock screen in case of an emergency.
• Wear a special piece of jewelry (medical alert bracelet or necklace).
• A laminated card that you can keep in your purse or wallet.
• Getting a tattoo. (Although this may seem like a bit of an extremist idea, some people use this method as well.)

When should I see a doctor?

If you develop any allergic symptoms after taking a medication, be sure to talk to a doctor.

When should I go to the Emergency Department (ETU) ?

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction , go to the emergency room immediately or call 911. These severe symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• A sudden feeling of fainting or dizziness.
• Heart rate is too fast.
• Loss of consciousness.

Remember, if severe symptoms like these are not treated quickly, they can even be life-threatening .

What questions should I ask the doctor?

When you go to see the doctor, it's a good idea to ask questions like these:

• How exactly does the doctor tell me that I have a drug allergy?
• What specific medicine is causing these allergic symptoms?
• I am taking this medicine for another condition. Is there a safe alternative that I can take instead?
• Do I need treatment for this?
• What kind of treatment does the doctor recommend for me?

For many people, medication is something that helps control symptoms and cure illnesses. But for some people, they can't take certain medications because their immune system mistakenly thinks they're harmful. Your reaction to a drug allergy may be different than someone else's. You may only experience mild symptoms like itching, skin rashes, or watery eyes. But in severe cases, it can affect breathing, heart rate, and even be life-threatening.

Therefore, if you experience any allergic symptoms after taking a medicine, see a doctor immediately. He or she can run tests to determine if you are truly allergic to the medicine. He or she can also recommend the necessary treatment and alternative medications that do not cause allergies.

Take-Home Message

• A drug allergy is when your body's immune system reacts incorrectly to certain medications.
• This condition can range from minor symptoms like itching and rash to severe, life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness.
• Antibiotics like penicillin and painkillers (NSAIDs) commonly cause allergies.
• If you develop symptoms after taking a medicine you think you are allergic to, seek medical advice immediately.
• If severe symptoms (difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat/tongue, dizziness) occur, go to a hospital immediately or call 1990.
• Always inform your doctors (including dentists) about any medications you are allergic to.
• Keep information about your allergies handy in case of an emergency (e.g., medical alert bracelet, card).

I hope this information is useful to you. Stay healthy!

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