What are drug allergies?

Also known as: medication allergies, medication and drug allergic reactions.

A drug allergy is when a previously sensitized child’s is given a drug/medication which he/she has an abnormal response to.

What causes drug allergies?

Any medication taken by mouth, rubbed on the skin or injected may cause a drug allergic response. An allergic response occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly reacts to an administered drug by releasing inflammatory defense chemicals (like histamine) which can cause a variety of symptoms involving the skin (hives, rash, itchy skin or eyes, congestion), respiratory system (mouth, airways and lungs with swelling in the mouth or throat), cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) and gastrointestinal (gut) systems.

A more severe reaction is called anaphylaxis.

Common drugs which cause an allergic response include penicillin, sulfa drugs, barbiturates, anti-seizure medications and insulin.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM