Drug allergy is an overreaction of the immune system (immune system) to a drug used. This reaction arises because the immune system considers substances in the drugas a substance that can harm the body.
Please note, drug allergies are different from the side effects of drugs that are usually listed on the packaging, as well as drug poisoning due to overdose. Drug allergies can happen to anyone, from children to adults.
Drug Allergy Symptoms
Symptoms and signs of a drug allergy can appear 1 hour or a few days after taking the drug. The release of histamine when experiencing a drug allergy will cause a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Rashes or bumps on the skin
- Itchy skin
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Runny and stuffy nose
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, and face (angioedema)
- Wheezing or when breathing sounds like a whistle
- Hard to breathe
- Fever
- Drug allergies can also cause serious symptoms and harm the sufferer. This condition is often referred to as an anaphylactic reaction
When to go to the doctor
Stop using the drug and go to the doctor or hospital emergency room immediately if you experience allergy symptoms as mentioned above after taking the drug.
Severe allergic reactions to drugs can be fatal because they can interfere with the function of important body organs, so treatment is needed as soon as possible.
Causes of Drug Allergies
Drug allergies are caused by the immune system overreacting when taking or using drugs.
When the immune system detects a drug that is entered and is considered dangerous, it will appear specific antibodies for that drug. These specific antibodies will release histamine which causes complaints and symptoms.
A drug allergy is not the same as a sensitivity to a drug. Although it can cause similar symptoms, drug sensitivity does not involve the immune system as does drug allergy.
Types of drugs that can cause allergic reactions
Almost any drug can trigger an allergic reaction. However, there are some drugs that often trigger allergic reactions, namely:
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin and sulfa
- Anticonvulsants (anticonvulsants)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
- Medicines for autoimmune diseases
- Chemotherapy drugs
Drug allergy risk factors
Not everyone will experience an allergic reaction to the drug. It is suspected that there are a number of factors that can increase a person's risk of developing drug allergies, namely:
- Suffering from other types of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis or food allergies
- Have a family member who is allergic to certain drugs
- Suffering from diseases that are often associated with allergic reactions, such as HIV infection and the Epstein Barr virus
Drug Allergy Diagnosis
The doctor will ask questions about the patient's complaints and symptoms, history of previous drug use, allergy history, and patient's medical history. Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination.
If needed, the doctor will recommend additional examinations to find out more specifically the type of material that causes an allergic reaction in the patient. These inspections can be in the form of:
- skin test (skin test)
A skin test for allergies uses a sample of a drug suspected of triggering an allergic reaction. Substances in the drugs will be exposed to the skin by means of affixed or through a needle puncture. Patients tested positive for allergies when the skin is red, itchy, or a rash appears.
- blood test
This test serves to identify and eliminate the possibility of other conditions that have the potential to cause the patient's symptoms.
Drug Allergy Treatment
The goal of drug allergy treatment is to treat and relieve the symptoms experienced. Sometimes the allergic reaction will go away on its own when the drug is stopped, but there are also those who need medication to relieve the allergic reaction.
Below are some medicines that can be used to treat allergic drug reactions:
- Antihistamine class of drugs, to inhibit the production of histamine so that complaints and symptoms can subside
- Oral or injectable corticosteroid drugs, to treat inflammation of allergic reactions
- Epinephrine injection, to treat anaphylaxis
If you experience anaphylaxis, you need to get intensive care in a hospital immediately.
If it is confirmed that the type of drug that triggers the allergy, the doctor will perform a desensitization procedure. This procedure is done by giving allergy-triggering drugs with small doses while monitoring the appearance of symptoms. The dose will be increased every few minutes, hours, or days until you reach the required dose.
Drug Allergy Complications
Complications that can occur due to a severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. This anaphylactic shock will cause disturbances in several organs that regulate body systems. Symptoms can include:
- Difficulty breathing due to narrowing of the airways or throat
- Blood pressure drop
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, or diarrhea
- Pulse is slow or fast
- Seizures
- Faint
In addition to anaphylactic shock, other conditions that can arise if drug allergies are not treated immediately are acute drug-induced kidney inflammation (acute intestinal allergy nephcritical). This condition can cause blood in the urine, fever, swelling in several parts of the body, and loss of consciousness.
Drug Allergy Prevention
The main step to prevent drug allergies is to avoid drugs that trigger allergies, for example by:
- Wearing a bracelet or necklace that indicates you are allergic to certain drugs
- Tell your doctor or medical personnel that you are allergic to certain types of drugs, before undergoing treatment or medical action