What is Penicillin Allergy?

It is important for patients to keep records of what medications they are allergic to. One of the most important to note is whether or not the patient is allergic to the antibiotic penicillin.

Drugs.com says that penicillin is, "an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs." The drug is created from a specific fungi, and because of this, some individuals experience a sensitivity to it. Penicillin, or PCN, is used as an antibiotic to fight bacterial infections in the human body.

If the patient is allergic to PCN, any of the following side effects may happen after they take a dose of the drug:

  *   Itching
  *   Hives
  *   Facial swelling (similar to the reaction of those who are allergic to bee stings)
  *   Rashes
  *   Difficulty breathing
  *   Changes in pulse
  *   Loss of consciousness

PCN allergies range in severity, but if a patient experiences an allergy to the drug, they will never be given it again, unless a physician says otherwise. The allergy is then documented into their medical record, and it is noted for all medical events from the routine office visit, to admittance into the emergency room.

If I can't take PCN, what are the other options?

Modern medicine has seen the development of many types of antibiotics. Patients allergic to PCN should know that any drugs whose name ends in "-cillin," contains PCN. Examples of this include popular drugs such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, bicillin, and oxacillin. Your physician is familiar with the generic names for these medications, and you should let any new physician that you see that you are allergic to PCN.

There are several different classes of antibiotic drugs that a physician may prescribe to a PCN allergic patient, including bactrim, cephalosporins (like Cefzil), carbapanems (like Imipenem), vancomycin, and macrolides (like Zithromax).

Only your physician can diagnose you with an infection and prescribe antibiotic treatment.