A drug allergy is a faulty immune system reaction to a drug. It's typically the same process that occurs when people have allergic reactions to pollen, insect venom, animal dander or peanuts. Like many other allergies, a drug allergy can cause a range of responses from a mild rash to life-threatening effects on many body systems. Several different types of allergic reactions to medications can occur. Reactions to drugs range from a mild localized rash to serious effects on vital systems. The body's response can affect many organ systems, but the skin is the organ most frequently involved. It is important to recognize the symptoms of a drug allergy, because they can be life-threatening. Death from an allergic reaction to a medication is extremely rare, however.
What causes it?
An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system produces antibodies and other disease fighting cells in response to an allergen, in this case a specific drug. The antibodies release chemicals that actually injure the surrounding cells and cause the physical symptoms of an allergic reaction. Certain antibodies release histamines, which affect the skin, mucous membrane, mucous gland, and smooth muscle cells. Life-threatening allergic reactions can occur without any previous symptoms of allergy. Drugs in the penicillin family are a common cause of drug allergies.
Symptoms
People can experience a wide range of adverse reactions to medication, from drowsiness and nausea to kidney damage or respiratory distress. The most common allergic response is a measles-like rash that does not occur in conjunction with production of the antibodies that can cause anaphylaxis. By contrast, systemic allergic reactions that can cause anaphylaxis are mediated by an immune system response that attacks what the body perceives as a foreign substance.
Risk Factors
Anaphylactic reactions to drugs are uncommon in children but increase with age. Atopy is a risk factor for anaphylaxis to drugs such as chymopapain (Ref.2). A familial tendency for anaphylactoid reactions to drugs has been clearly identified in certain families although the mode of inheritance is unclear. Intravenous administration increases the risk of anaphylaxis and a previous history of any reaction to a drug is an important risk factor.
Treatment
It is a good clinical practice to avoid the use of combination drugs. Atelol-D is a brand name that contains a fixed-dose combination of atenolol 50 mg + indapamide 2.5 mg. When one gives half-a-tablet, only 25 mg of atenolol + 1.25 mg of indapamide is being administered. This is sub-therapeutic (inadequate) dose. The normal dose of atenolol is 50 mg to 100 mg daily. Plain indapamide is no more in vogue. We prefer controlled-release indapamide that contains 1.5 mg and is effective over 24 hours. The effect of 1.5 mg controlled-release formulation is optimal.
* If you are suffering from hives, then try to apply cool compresses and take cool showers.
* Once if you know that you are allergic to a particular drug, try to avoid it and inform it to the doctor while taking medications from him.
* Drug allergy is also caused due to over dosage of the medicines. So try to limit the dosage of medications.
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