Allergic reactions to antibiotics differ from other adverse side effects, such as stomach pain and diarrhea. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system becomes over-sensitized and attacks the antibiotic as a foreign, harmful substance. Antibiotic allergies include penicillin, tetracycline and sulfa drug antibiotics.
Characteristic symptoms of true antibiotic allergies include rashes, hives, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips and eyes, vomiting and anaphylaxis which causes very low blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Antibiotic allergic reactions can be very serious and require urgent medical attention.
Penicillin Allergies are Common Drug Reactions
Penicillin belongs to the beta lactam family of antibiotics and several types of this antibiotic are prescribed for common bacterial infections. Penicillin allergies are common and someone who is allergic to it will be allergic to all types of beta lactam antibiotics.
However, most individuals that report a penicillin allergy have adverse side effects such as stomach cramping or diarrhea but not a true allergy. Additionally, approximately 20 percent of individuals that have an initial allergic reaction to penicillin will still have the reaction 10 years later, if they are not exposed to this antibiotic again in the meantime.
Sulfa Antibiotics Can Cause an Allergic Reaction
Sulfa antibiotics can cause an allergic response in individuals with over-reactive or compromised immune systems. Sulfa or sulfonamide drugs were the first antibiotics to be used medicinally, but are not as common today. Sulfa antibiotics that are still used include Bactrim, Septra, and Pediazole.
Only about three percent of people have an allergic reaction to sulfa antibiotics. This includes individuals with compromised immune systems due to illnesses such as AIDS. Sulfa drug allergies cause symptoms such as skin rashes, joint aches, swollen lymph nodes and sun sensitivity of the skin.
Tetracyclines Allergies Cause Joint Pain, Sore Throat and Other Symptoms
Tetracyclines are antibiotics generally used to treat bacterial infections such as persistent acne, pneumonia, cholera and typhus. It is in the same family of drugs as the commonly prescribed antibiotics minocycline and doxycycline. Individuals with true allergies to tetracycline will have allergic reactions to all antibiotics in this family.
Serious allergic reactions to tetracyclines cause symptoms such as skin rash, itching, hives, difficulty breathing, yellowing of eyes, severe joint pain, vomiting and throat sores. Medical treatment may be needed if an allergic reaction to tetracycline antibiotics occurs.
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Reference:
The Mayo Clinic: Antibiotic Allergies (Accessed June 29th, 2010)
Noreen Kassem - Noreen Kassem is a hospital doctor based in London, UK. She has extensive experience in clinical research and an undergraduate honors ...
