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If you have ever experienced a drug allergy, I am sure you are fully aware that it is ‘no joke.’ For those of you who haven’t experienced it ever, let me describe it to you briefly and how opting for compounding medication can help prevent a future allergic reaction to medication.
What is a Drug Allergy?
It essentially is an allergic reaction to medication or a ‘particular’ medication. This happens because your immune system starts reacting to the drug. Common symptoms of drug allergy include fever, rash, and difficulty in breathing. You will be surprised to know that only 10 percent of negative drug reactions are caused by a true drug allergy. Any other allergic reaction to medications are merely a side effect of the drug. It is important to differentiate the two in order to take the right action.
Why Does an Allergic Reaction to Medication Occur in the First Place?
Let’s see why some people get an allergic reaction to certain medications. Your immune system is responsible for protecting you against certain diseases and is designed to fight foreign invaders like parasites, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. Sometimes, your immune system can mistake a drug from these harmful invaders and starts making antibodies that attack the drug. It leads to increased inflammation which can result in rash, difficulty breathing, and fever. Sometimes, this can happen the very first time you take a particular drug, and other times, it occurs several times without any problem.
Are Drug Allergies Dangerous?
Well, drug allergies aren’t always dangerous. Sometimes, the symptoms of a drug allergy are so mild that they go unnoticed. Other times, it isn’t anything more than a slight rash. However, there are times when a drug allergy can be life-threatening and could lead to anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening whole-body reaction to the drug occurs within 12 hours of taking the medicine.
Common symptoms of anaphylaxis include irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, swelling, and unconsciousness. It is fatal, so if you or someone near you experiences it, call 911 right away or visit the nearest emergency room.
Allergic-Like Reactions
Certain drugs don’t cause anaphylaxis but can create a similar reaction. It is common with the following drugs: morphine, aspirin, chemotherapy drugs, and certain dyes used in X-rays. This reaction doesn’t involve your immune system and doesn’t qualify as a true allergy, either. The symptoms and treatments can be very similar to a true drug reaction, though.
Drugs Which Commonly Lead to Drug Allergies
Different drugs will have different impacts on different people. With that being said, an allergic reaction to medication is more prone to certain drugs than others. These include but aren’t limited to antibiotics, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, anticonvulsants, drugs used in monoclonal antibody therapy, and chemotherapy drugs.
Differences Between Side Effects and an Allergic Reaction to Medication
An allergic reaction t affect certain people that involve the immune system and results in negative side effects. It is important to know that a side effect can also occur in any person taking a drug, but it is different from having an allergic reaction as an immune system response.
For instance, aspirin is used to treat pain but can lead to an upset stomach. The helpful side effects include minimizing the risks of a heart attack and stroke. Tylenol is used to treat pain and can lead to liver damage. Nitroglycerin is used to widen blood vessels and boost blood flow, which improves mental functioning as a side effect.
Possible Treatment of Drug Allergies
The management of drug allergies depends on the severity of the allergy. If the drug causes a severe reaction, it needs to be avoided entirely. Your doctor will most likely offer a replacement for the drug that doesn’t cause a reaction. If the reaction is mild, the doctor will still prescribe it for you while prescribing another drug to control your reaction to the medication. The goal of these medications is to block the immune response and minimize symptoms. Some of the possible options include:
Antihistamines
Your body starts to make histamine in response to a substance it assumes to be harmful. The release of histamine triggers allergic symptoms like itching, irritation, and swelling. The antihistamine blocks the production of histamine and helps to relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction: pills, eye drops, creams, and nasal sprays.
Corticosteroids
An allergic reaction to medication can result in swelling of the airways and serious symptoms. Corticosteroids help to minimize inflammation which leads to plenty of problems. They come in various forms, such as pills, nasal sprays, eye drops, powders, liquids, and creams.
Bronchodilators
If a drug allergy results in wheezing and/or coughing, the doctor recommends a bronchodilator. It helps to open up the airways, which makes breathing easier. Bronchodilators come in both liquid and powder forms which makes them the ideal option for inhalation purposes.
Long-Term Outlook for Allergic Reactions to Medication
Surprise! Surprise! Your immune system doesn’t stay the same for your entire lifetime. Sometimes, your allergy weakens, goes away, or becomes worse with time. It is crucial to follow the instructions of your doctor in this regard. If your doctor asks you to avoid a particular drug, do so.
There are times when your doctor will be able to spot the allergen in a particular drug and eliminate it with the help of compounding. That calls for the expertise and experience of a compounding pharmacist. A compounding pharmacist will work with your healthcare provider to ensure the drug doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. Please note that it isn’t possible in all cases, and you might need to avoid the drug altogether.
Always listen to your doctor’s instructions in this regard. And if they tell you to avoid the drug or give any other instructions, stick with those. We hope you found this article informative and helpful! If you have any questions, leave them down in the comments section below, and we will get back to you shortly.
Disclaimer: This article is meant for informational purposes only and isn’t meant to be used as a source of medical advice. Always reach out to your healthcare provider in case you think you’re experiencing an allergic reaction to medication and listen to your doctor’s instructions.
