Drug (Medication) Allergy
Allergic reactions to drugs (medications) are called ‘immediate’ when they occur within one to six hours after taking a medication, and ‘non-immediate’ when the reaction occurs more than 24 hours after taking a medication. Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) are non-immediate rashes due to drugs that are associated with fever, flu-like and other systemic symptoms. These can be life-threatening, and require urgent specialist care. Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction to drugs and requires immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine).
Rashes can sometimes be mistaken as an allergic reaction to a drug, so it is important to confirm whether it is an allergy, or a rash that may be due to infection.
Health Professional Information
Action Plan and Record for Drug Allergy
ASCIA Action Plan for Drug (Medication) Allergy
ASCIA Record for Drug (Medication) Allergy
Drug (Medication) Allergy Resources
ASCIA Consensus Statement - Penicillin Allergy
ASCIA Penicillin Allergy Guide for health professionals
References - Penicillin Allergy
ASCIA Consensus Statement - Cephalosporin Allergy (available to Members only)
References - Cephalosporin Allergy
ASCIA Drug (Medication) Allergy Terms
ASCIA Drug allergy pre-clinic information template (available to Members only)
ASCIA Clinical Update - Antibiotic Allergy
ASCIA Consent Form - Antibiotic Allergy Challenges
ASCIA Position Paper - Drug Allergy Challenges - in development
ASCIA Drug (Medication) Allergy e-training - in development
ASCIA Position Statement - Radiocontrast Media Hypersensitivity (RCM)
Podcast
Podcast - Antibiotics and Allergy