Know about drugs with Chula pharmacists: Reducing the Risk of Drug Allergies

    Many have heard alarming news about severe allergic reactions to drugs, where skin peels off and patients require ICU care for months. Understandably, this causes anxiety and fear among drug users. Is this fear justified? The answer is yes, but it depends on the cause of the symptoms.

    It's important to remember that everyone uses medications at some point, whether from pharmacies or hospitals. Each time we take a new medication, there's a possibility of an allergic reaction, which can range from mild to life-threatening, along with other adverse effects.

    In Thailand, the Health Product Safety Monitoring Center has reported numerous cases of drug allergies, side effects, and reactions. This highlights that drug allergies are a significant issue, not just with modern medicine but with traditional remedies as well. Therefore, caution is essential when using any kind of health product.

     What is a Drug Allergy?

    A drug allergy occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to a substance in the medication. Symptoms can include itchy rashes, hives, swelling of the lips or eyes, low blood pressure, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and bronchospasm. Without timely treatment, respiratory failure may occur, potentially leading to death. Severe reactions can also cause skin inflammation or damage to internal organs, like hepatitis.

    Most drug allergies appear quickly after taking the medication, but some can emerge weeks or even months later, making them harder to recognize. In such cases, people may unknowingly continue taking the drug, worsening their condition.

    Similar to allergies to food, alcohol, or pollen, drug allergies are often unpredictable. There are different types of reactions: some occur immediately after taking a drug, while others happen after repeated use. This means that even if you've taken a medication before without issues, you could develop an allergy to it later.

     A Dangerous Reaction: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

    One of the most serious drug allergies is Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which causes severe inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. It can start with flu-like symptoms, followed by rashes, blisters, and skin peeling, particularly on the face, neck, and torso. The inflammation can also affect the eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals. Diagnosing this syndrome early can be challenging, and by the time it's recognized as an allergic reaction, the patient's condition may have worsened significantly, requiring a long ICU stay.

     Drugs That Commonly Cause Allergic Reactions

    Certain drugs are more likely to trigger allergic reactions, such as medications for gout, epilepsy, inflammation, and antibiotics. People with a history of allergies, whether to food or drugs, or those who have a family history of drug allergies, are at a higher risk. Long-term or high-dose medication use can also increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction.

     How to Reduce the Risk of Drug Allergies

    To minimize the risk of drug allergies, medications should be used only when necessary. If you have a known allergy to a drug, carry a drug allergy card and inform healthcare providers about your allergy history. If you experience any unusual symptoms while taking medication, consult a doctor or pharmacist immediately. If you develop unexplained symptoms, consider the possibility that they might be related to the medication, and seek medical attention promptly.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattada Areepiam and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bodin Tiwasuwan

Faculty of Pharmacy Chulalongkorn University