Medication AllergiesMedication allergies or allergy to drugs are relatively uncommon and are different than an intolerance. For example some people who experience stomach discomfort after taking aspirin (a common adverse reaction) often say they are “allergic” to aspirin. However, this is not a true allergic reaction. True allergic reactions involve activation of the immune system by a drug. The discomfort from aspirin happens because it interferes with the stomach’s natural barrier defenses against stomach acid. Intolerance vs Allergy Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) to a drug is relatively uncommon and idiopathic (cause unknown), thus extremely difficult to predict except in persons with a prior history or a family history of intolerance to that specific drug. For people who are allergic to a drug, even a small amount of the drug can trigger an allergic reaction. These reactions range from minor and simply annoying to severe and life threatening. Drug allergies cannot be anticipated, because reactions occur after a person has been previously exposed to the drug (whether it was applied to the skin, taken by mouth, or injected) one or more times without any allergic reaction. That is, an allergic reaction does not often happen the first time you take a medication. A reaction is much more likely to occur the next time you take that medication. Appropriate skin tests can sometimes help predict allergic adverse drug reactions. A mild reaction may be treated with an antihistamine. A severe or life-threatening reaction may require an injection of adrenaline. Some of the medications people can be allergic to are Antibiotics Analgesics Anti-seizure The antidepressant Wellbutrin in its anti-smoking form, Zyban can also cause mild to sever allergic reaction. There is also a caution with Champix - always check with your physician. Return to Women's Health Main Page from Medication Allergies
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