“Am I having an allergic reaction to antibiotics?” is a common question, but a true allergic reaction to an antibiotic is actually less common than you might think. In fact, drug allergies make up only an estimated 5 to 10% of medication side effects, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.
It’s easy to mistake common antibiotic side effects with an allergy, so how can you tell the difference? Read on to get the facts about allergic reactions.
Common Side Effects to Watch for When You’re Taking an Antibiotic
It seems natural to think that medication should behave in the same way for any person who takes it. After all, prescription and over-the-counter medications go through rigorous testing before they’re released for public use. But that’s not the reality. Many people have a slightly different reaction to prescribed drugs, including antibiotics. When you take a certain antibiotic, you might develop a skin rash or another symptom, while your sibling, parent or child may have no side effect at all to the same medication.
An allergic reaction to antibiotics occurs when your immune system produces antibodies in response to taking the medication. Antibody production typically occurs because your body is reacting to something it perceives as an invader, such as an illness, but when it reacts to medication, it’s an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from mild to life-threatening. If you’re taking an antibiotic (or any other new medication), keep an eye out for these signs:
- Blistered or peeling skin
- Blurry vision or other vision problems
- Dizziness
- Hives
- Red, itchy, flaky or swollen skin
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Severe swelling or itching
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue
- Throat tightness
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
Having an Allergic Reaction? Here’s What to Do
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms outlined above, contact the health care provider who prescribed the medication or seek medical attention at an urgent care facility. Some of those symptoms—swelling of the facial area, throat tightness, trouble breathing, dizziness and wheezing—can be caused by anaphylaxis, a life-threatening, emergency health issue. If you or someone around you have symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911 for immediate medical attention.
If you’re having a rash or other mild symptom after being prescribed an antibiotic, tell your doctor about it. Depending on the specific symptoms, your doctor may have you take the antibiotic while treating the side effect, adjust the dose, or prescribe a different antibiotic.
It’s important not to stop taking an antibiotic without clearing it with your doctor first. That’s because antibiotics should be taken for the entire duration prescribed to be effective. If you stop before the course of medication is complete, you can develop antibiotic resistance, making that antibiotic less effective for you in the future.
The Timing of Antibiotic Allergies
If you’re allergic to an antibiotic, you don’t always see the reaction after your first dose. You may develop an allergic reaction shortly after starting, but you may also have an allergic episode weeks after you finish the course of medication.
In fact, it’s possible to finish your prescription without any negative effects but have an allergic reaction the next time you take that antibiotic. That occurs because repeat medication exposure encourages your body to create histamines that cause allergy symptoms. In most cases, severe allergic reactions to antibiotics take place within minutes or hours of taking the medication.
Antibiotic Allergy vs. Intolerance
Sometimes your body can develop an intolerance to an antibiotic rather than an allergy. How can you tell the difference? Your physician or nurse practitioner may recommend skin testing to confirm an allergy. Additionally, your health care provider may monitor you to see if your symptoms affect many parts of the body, which is typical of an allergic reaction, or if they are centered on your stomach or digestive system (upset stomach, diarrhea or nausea).
You can avoid intolerance and its unpleasant symptoms by carefully following your medical provider’s or pharmacist’s guidance. Before taking the first dose of your antibiotic, read the health information included with the prescription and bottle label. This should tell you how to take the medication, including whether it should be taken with food or milk to protect your stomach.
If you are unsure if your symptoms resulted from intolerance or an allergy, check in with your health care provider or a pharmacist. They can help you determine if you should continue taking the medication.
Can’t Afford Your Medications? Here’s What You Can Do.
A health care provider can determine when an antibiotic may help symptoms. Need a provider? Find one here.
Listen to a Podcast About What To Do If You Have an Allergic Reaction
Sneezing and wheezing can be signs of seasonal allergies, but what if you get hives or swelling or you can’t breathe? You might be having a serious allergic reaction. This may occur because of a medication, food, animals, latex or other allergens. And sometimes coming into contact with something you are allergic to can be life-threatening. Learn the signs to look out for, what to do if you have an allergic reaction and much more from Dr. Scott Burger, Interim Chief Medical Officer of UM Urgent Care.
Listen here or go to our website:
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