Physicians weigh in on penicillin allergy study

Before doctors write new prescriptions, they usually ask every patient the same question.

“Do you have any allergies?”

As many as 50 million people in the U.S. tell their doctor they are allergic to penicillin. But a recent study reveals those people might not be allergic to the antibiotic at all. http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/allergic-penicillin-millions-u-s-may-be-misdiagnosed-n687766

Patients who report a minor rash, vomiting or diarrhea after taking penicillin are not necessarily allergic to the antibiotic, said Asad Ansari, MD, Beacon Medical Group pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine doctor.

Severe reactions like hives, an itchy rash, throat and tongue swelling, respiratory distress and sudden low blood pressure, however, are clear indicators of a penicillin allergy, Dr. Ansari said.

He explained how drug allergies are also not genetically inherited.

In other words, just because a parent is allergic to penicillin doesn’t mean you are, Dr. Ansari said.

“Many people report they have a penicillin allergy and many times we can use an alternative medicine. But it can be a little frustrating because sometimes we lose the ability to prescribe effective medicines that are lower in cost to the patient,” Dr. Ansari said.

David Amrhein, MD, Beacon Medical Group Main Street family physician, said some people outgrow their allergy to penicillin and they just don’t know it. There’s no way of telling without a test.

“We offer testing, but it’s not something that is commonly done,” Dr. Amrhein said. “It’s probably done more often if a patient has multiple antibiotic ‘allergies’ to confirm whether the penicillin allergy is true or not.”