About this topic
Drug allergy is a reaction to a drug. Your body has a reaction after taking a sulfa drug. These drugs are also known as sulfur drugs or drugs that contain sulfonamide. You may have a group of signs after taking this kind of drug. You have an allergy if your body reacts to a drug or other substance that is in most cases harmless. � �
You can get an allergy once you have been exposed to the drug. The reaction often happens a few weeks after you start taking the drug. � �
Sulfa is in many kinds of drugs. You may also have a reaction to the sulfa in drugs that are used to treat infections. Some people are still able to take other kinds of drugs with sulfa in them and not have a reaction. Always talk to your doctor about your drug allergy. � �
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What are the causes?
A drug allergy is caused when your immune system treats a harmless substance in a drug as a threat. Then, it lets loose chemicals to keep the "threat " � from harming your body. Instead, the chemicals cause the signs of an allergic response. � �
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Your family history may raise your risk for a drug allergy. You are at a higher risk for a drug allergy if someone in your family has:
- Allergies, especially to other drugs
- Asthma
- How the drug is given to you may raise your chance of having a drug allergy. You may have to take the drug in a pill form. Other times, it may be given as a shot or through an I.V.
- The amount of drug you take can raise your chances of having an allergy. So can how often you have to take it and how long you have to take the drug.
- Certain health conditions like HIV or AIDS can raise your chances of a drug allergy.
What are the main signs?
- Skin reaction:
- Itchy skin
- Skin rashes and redness
- Skin swelling
- Hives
- Swelling, itching of the lips, tongue, and face
- Belly reaction:
- Belly cramps
- Throwing up
- Loose stools
- Lung reaction:
- Swelling of the throat
- Chest tightness
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing
- Other signs like:
- Sensitive to light
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Stevens-Johnson reaction:
- Deep red skin rash
- Shedding of skin
- Mouth and nose blisters
- Swelling of the face and tongue
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Eye pain
- Cough
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
There is no exact skin test or blood test to diagnose sulfa drug allergy. You doctor will diagnose your condition when you have taken a sulfa drug and allergic reactions start to show up. � �
Your doctor will talk to you about your history. Your doctor will ask about: � �
- All the drugs you are taking. These include all prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and herbal supplements. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- When your allergy began to appear
- Past reactions to sulfa drugs and other drugs
- A family history of drug allergies
Your doctor will do an exam and may look for: � �
- Skin rashes or redness
- Swollen body parts, like the face and lymph nodes
- Breathing problems
- Stevens-Johnson reaction
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
- Care will depend on your signs.
- Stop taking sulfa drugs or lower the dose of the drug
- Use some other drug in its place
- Sometimes, the doctor will want to help your body learn to handle the drug. This is called desensitization. Your doctor would carefully give you a small amount of sulfa drugs and raise it over time.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: � �
- Ease signs like swelling and itching
- Control allergic reactions
- Help asthma-like signs
- Treat skin rashes
Your doctor may give you an emergency shot to control very bad allergic reactions. You may also be given a special shot to carry with you. This would be used if you have some other bad reaction to sulfa drugs. � �
Will there be any other care needed?
- Wear a medical alert ID that tells of your drug allergy. This can help you in emergency cases.
- Be sure to tell all your doctors that you have an allergy to sulfa drugs.
- Always carry your emergency drugs with you in case you have allergic reactions.
- If you think you have an allergy while taking sulfa drugs, see your doctor right away.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- There is no sure way to prevent a sulfa allergy.
- You may be able to prevent a reaction if you:
- Do not take sulfa drugs and other like antibiotics.
- Make sure that you read the label and know the content of your drugs.
Helpful tips
There are chemicals called sulfur, sulfites, and sulfate. They are often found in other drugs, cosmetics, or preservatives. You may have an allergy to them. This does not mean you are allergic to sulfa drugs. � �
Where can I learn more?
Allergist � �
http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/at-a-glance/medications-and-drug-allergic-reactions.aspx � �
Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy � �
http://www.allergy.org.au/patients/medication-allergy/sulfonamide-antibiotic-allergy � �
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. � �
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Copyright � � 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. � �