Penicillin Allergy - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which doctor should I consult for a penicillin allergy?

Since an allergy can be severe and even life-threatening, you should immediately consult either a family physician or an emergency medicine doctor. Visiting the nearest casualty department of a hospital is the best thing to do.

2. What percentage of the population is allergic to penicillin?

Genuine penicillin allergies are pretty low with an approximate frequency of anaphylaxis of 1-5 per 10 000 cases of penicillin therapy.

3. How long does it take for an allergic reaction?

Most symptoms of penicillin allergy manifest approximately an hour after administering the drug. Some reactions can occur days or weeks later. Anaphylaxis occurs almost immediately after intake.

4. What class of drug is penicillin?

Penicillin comes under the group of antibacterial drugs named beta-lactams. These drugs are relatively inexpensive and hence are widely used to treat skin, ear, sinus and upper respiratory tract infections. The functioning of different drugs in this class differ, usually they combat infections by eroding the walls of bacteria.


5. If I am allergic, what are the chances of being allergic to other penicillin-like antibiotics like cephalosporin?

People with a history of penicillin allergy have only a small risk (10 to 15%) of having an allergic reaction to cephalosporins. However, it is safe to have a small test dose with the antibiotics before taking the injection.

Cephalosporin antibiotics are closely related to penicillin. There are a number of cephalosporin medications available, a few of which include cephalexin, cefaclor, cefuroxime, cefadroxil, cephradine, cefprozil, loracarbef, ceftibuten, cefdinir, cefditoren, cefpodoxime and cefixime.

6. If I am allergic to penicillin, am I likely to be allergic to other antibiotics?

Yes this is possible and hence it is safe to have a test dose of the antibiotics before an injection is taken. Most good hospitals will do a test dose before injecting any new antibiotics as a routine practice.

Antibiotic "allergy" incidence is highest with sulpha or sulphonamides drugs followed by penicillins and then by other antibiotics.

7. Is the allergy to antibiotics in any way connected to my sex and age factor?

As women tend to take more antibiotics, they have higher chances of allergy then men. Older people tend to have a higher incidence of allergy than younger.

8. What are hives or urticarial?

Elevated patches on the skin usually caused by an allergic reaction accompanied by a release of histamine into the body tissues. Patches are redder or paler than the surrounding skin and itch intensely.

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