Medication Allergy or Side Effect?
If you have a reaction after taking a medication, you may wonder “Is this a medication allergy or side effect?” Urgent care doctors at Statcare are here to help answer that question.
A true allergic reaction to a medication occurs when taking a drug causes an abnormal immune system response. The medication can be taken by mouth, injected into the body (by any route) or rubbed on the skin. The symptoms from an allergic reaction vary from a mild rash to sudden swelling of many body parts with life-threatening fall in blood pressure.
Most people with a medication allergy have had previous exposure to that medication or a similar one before. During the earlier exposure, immune cells formed antibodies against the drug. The immune system creates antibodies, which are proteins that battle bacteria/viruses. When a person takes the medication again, the antibodies go into action, setting off the allergic response. The symptoms of medication allergy may happen immediately or after taking the medication for a week or more.
Many people are sensitive to medications, but not all of these sensitivities are true allergic reactions. Some adverse reactions to medications are side effects. Among the most common side effects are diarrhea, vomiting, fever and a skin reaction to sunlight called photo-sensitivity. However, medication allergies are not the same as side effects. Side effects do not involve the immune system, and sometimes can be avoided by lowering the dose. In order for the reaction to be an allergy, the immune system must be involved.
Allergy Testing At Urgent Care
Walk-in to any of our clinics and talk to our healthcare providers. We also offer blood allergy testing at all our clinics. No appointment is necessary at our clinics and you won’t have to wait hours to see a doctor. You can call ahead at (917) 310-3371 and let us know you’re on the way or you can check in online.
Symptoms of an acute severe allergic reaction such as rapid pulse, labored breathing and facial swelling require an immediate visit to an emergency care facility.
