When to Seek Medical Care
Always get in touch with the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication for guidance.
If you experience mild symptoms like itching or localized hives, your provider may advise switching to a different medication, discontinuing the medication, or prescribing antihistamines to alleviate your symptoms.
If you're unable to reach your provider quickly, err on the side of caution and visit a hospital emergency department.
If you develop "systemic" symptoms such as fever or vomiting, discontinue the medication and seek immediate attention from a medical professional.
If you face difficulty breathing, notice throat swelling, or feel faint, you might be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction. Head to a hospital emergency department without delay. Do not attempt to drive yourself. If immediate transportation isn't available, dial 911 for an ambulance. While waiting for the ambulance, initiate self-treatment.
Self-Care at Home
For hives or localized skin reactions, follow these steps:
- Take cool showers or apply cool compresses.
- Opt for lightweight, non-irritating clothing.
- Rest and limit your physical activity.
- To alleviate itching, apply calamine lotion or take non-prescription antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton).
For more severe reactions, self-treatment is not recommended. Contact your healthcare provider or dial 911 based on symptom severity. If you're experiencing anaphylaxis symptoms, here's what to do while awaiting the ambulance:
- Stay as calm as possible.
- If you can identify the cause of the reaction, prevent further exposure.
- If you can swallow without difficulty, take an antihistamine (one to two tablets or capsules of diphenhydramine [Benadryl]).
- If you're wheezing or having trouble breathing, use an inhaled bronchodilator like albuterol (Proventil) or epinephrine (Primatene Mist) if available. These inhaled medications open the airways.
- If you feel lightheaded or faint, lie down and elevate your legs above your head to aid blood flow to the brain.
- If you have an epinephrine kit, use it as instructed. The kit contains a premeasured dose of epinephrine, a prescription medication that rapidly reverses severe symptoms.
- If someone becomes unconscious, stops breathing, or has no pulse, bystanders should administer CPR.
- If possible, be ready to provide information about your medications and known allergies to medical personnel.
Prevention
Currently, there is no foolproof method to prevent drug allergies. Reducing your medication intake as much as possible can lower your risk. The more medications your body encounters, the higher the chance of a drug allergy.
Always inform any new healthcare provider about your allergies and the types of reactions you've experienced. Discuss with your doctor the potential need for a portable epinephrine kit to address severe reactions.
If you've reacted to a specific drug in the past, do not take it again. After a reaction, the risk of a more severe response significantly increases.
Consider wearing a medical alert ID bracelet or necklace. These accessories can be worn on your wrist or neck and serve to alert medical professionals and others about your risk of an allergic reaction.
Adults might carry a card with essential medical information in their wallet or purse. Inform your healthcare provider about past adverse reactions to medications before any new prescriptions are given.
Be sure to let your healthcare provider know about any medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that you are taking.