Allergic Reactions to Medications

When most people think of allergies, they think of things like hay fever, mold allergies, and food allergies. However, an individual can also be allergic to certain drugs. An adverse reaction to a medication can cause a severe rash, flu-like symptoms, and even death through anaphylactic shock.

If you or someone you love has been wrongly prescribed a medication, you may be eligible to receive compensation. To speak with an experienced attorney about your case, call the Champaign medical malpractice attorneys of Spiros Law, P.C., today at 217-328-2828.

When Drugs Go Bad

Most medications are meant to work in tandem with your body’s immune system to help fight viruses and infections. However, sometimes your body can overreact to a drug and attack it instead of the source of your illness. This hypersensitivity is what causes you to suffer from an allergic reaction.

Some medicines cause allergic reactions more than others, with penicillin accounting for the most allergies. Other sources of reactions include:

• The Sulfa family of drugs
• Analgesics such as codeine, morphine, NSAIDs, and aspirin
• Anti-seizure medicines like carbamazepine and phenytoin
• Tetracycline

Symptoms of Drug Allergies

Signs of an allergic reaction to a drug are similar to reactions against foods and even insect bites. Symptoms of an allergy can include:

• Skin problems – hives, rash, itching, photosensitivity, erythema multiforme
• Fever
• Muscle and/or joint aches
• Kidney inflammation
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Anaphylaxis – skin reaction coupled with rapid or uneven heartbeat, difficulty breathing, faintness, or swelling of the face or other parts of the body.

Although doctors and pharmacists cannot predict drug allergies, they should avoid previously recognized hypersensitivities when prescribing you medication. However, sometimes mix-ups can occur that result in you receiving the wrong drug, such as an improperly marked chart.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a drug allergy, contact the Champaign personal injury lawyers of Spiros Law, P.C., today by calling 217-328-2828.