Medication Allergies

Testing For Medication Allergies in Murray & West Jordan, UT

Most people take a medication of some kind. Medications are often purchased over the counter, but many are also prescription. Most people do not have any reactions to medications, but some people do develop adverse events. There are many different type of drug reactions including side effects, allergic reactions and non-allergic reactions. Our allergy specialists can further investigate and help determine which type of reaction you experienced.

Allergy Associates of Utah is an allergy, asthma, and immunology specialty clinic serving the greater Salt Lake City, Utah area with 2 convenient locations in Murray and West Jordan. Led by specialists Andrew Smith, MD, MS, and Tara Sarin, MD, the practice strives to help people of all ages and background achieve success.

Common Medications Which Cause Allergies

There are some common medication allergies in both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Some of the most common medications to cause an allergic reaction include:

• Antibiotics, such as Penicillins and Sulfa medications
• Aspirin and NSAIDs
• Anesthetic medications
• Chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies

Common Allergic Reactions You Might Experience

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can occur immediately or be delayed. Medication allergy symptoms may include:

• A diffuse, itchy rash covering large areas of your body
• Facial or throat swelling
• Immediate vomiting
• Delayed drug reactions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic epidermal necrolysis can also have organ system involvement

If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, your medication allergy could become a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction, and you should call emergency services immediately. You should also seek medical care if you develop severe delayed drug rashes or have organ system involvement.

What to Do if You Are Experiencing a Medication Allergy

Stop taking the medication immediately and make an appointment with Allergy Associates of Utah. They may recommend medication challenge testing.

What You Can Expect During Medication Challenge Testing

During medication challenge testing, skin prick testing or intradermal testing may be performed. Patients may then ingest the specific medication and your provider will observe you for symptoms. If you do not exhibit an allergic reaction to the dosage, the dosage is gradually increased until you exhibit a mild response or you pass the challenge.

The Benefits of Medication Challenge Testing

A medication challenge test is carefully supervised to ensure your safety. The test can establish whether you can take a specific medication, and if so, in what dosage. The test can also establish how reactive you are to a specific medication, or whether another medication should be substituted.

Want To Know More?

To learn more about signs, symptoms, testing, and treatment of medication allergies, call Dr. Andrew Smith and Dr. Tara Sarin at Allergy Associates of Utah, serving the greater Salt Lake City, Utah area. Request an appointment in the Murray, Utah, location by calling (801) 263-8700, or in West Jordan, Utah, by calling (801) 282-8700. You can also make an appointment online. Schedule at either Allergy Associates of Utah location for expert allergy and immunology care today.