Skip to main content

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),  Sometimes rashes are 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.

Fast Facts
 
 
Action Plan
 
 
Drug Allergy Challenges
 
 
 
Click on the links below for more information (A-Z)

Adverse Reactions to Alternative Medicines

Chlorhexidine Allergy 

Penicillin Allergy 

Scan the QR code to view this webpage on a mobile phone

Drug (Medication) Allergy QR CODE