Medication allergies can be difficult to diagnose. Some allergic reactions to drugs — particularly rashes, hives and asthma — can resemble certain diseases. An allergy to penicillin-type drugs is the only one that definitively can be diagnosed through a skin test. If there is no suitable alternative to the medication that you are allergic to, you may consider the need to undergo a drug challenge or desensitization.

DRUG CHALLENGE

If your allergist thinks you are at a low risk for a reaction, they may choose to perform a drug challenge. This involves taking approximately two to three step-up doses of the medication to determine tolerance.

DRUG DESENSITIZATION

Drug desensitization involves taking the drug in increasing amounts until you can tolerate the needed dose with minimal side effects. Desensitization only can help if you are taking the drug every day. Once you stop it — for example, when a chemotherapy cycle ends — you will need to go through desensitization a second time if you need the drug again.

If you have a medication allergy:

• Make sure all your providers are aware of your allergy and the symptoms you experienced.
• Ask about related drugs you should avoid.
• Ask about alternatives to the drug that caused your allergic reaction.
• Wear an emergency medical alert bracelet or necklace that identifies your allergy.

Call 715-838-5286 for more information about challenges and desensitization or to schedule an appointment.