Allergy-like events

Some side-effects of angiographic contrast agents such as allergy-like events (nausea, vomiting) have been related to the fipophificity (lack of hydrophificity) of the contrast agents. However, clear-cut structure-activity relationships have not been established. 

It has also been reported that patients with allergic-like events after penicillin treatment have had a markedly risk of events after subsequent cephalosporin antibiotics. Cross-reactivity is not an adequate explanation for this increased risk and the data obtained indicate that cephalosporins can be considered for patients with penicillin allergy <2006MI354.ell>. Comparisons of parenteral broad-spectrum cephalosporins have been tested against bacteria isolated from pediatric patients. The results have indicated that cefepime has been the most broad-spectrum cephalosporin analyzed and it is a very potent alternative for the treatment of contemporary pediatric infections in North America <2007MI109>. The historical safety of the most commonly used oral cephalosporins has been reviewed <2007MIS67>. The antimicrobial spectrum and in vitro potency of the most frequently prescribed orally administered cephalosporins (cefaclor, cefdinir, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, cefuroxime axetil and cephalexin has also been reviewed <2007MIS5>. 

Carbamazepine and Phenytoin are first generation anticonvulsants that have been used in for many years in the treatment of diabetic painful neuropathy. However, although Carbamazepine has shown effect in controlled clinical trials high rates of adverse events like somnolence, dizziness and allergy have placed these compounds late in the armentarium against painful diabetic neuropathy [30]. 

Allergic reactions to Echinacea products have been reported see Adverse Events and Side Effects, below). Some authorities have suggested that the reactions may be due to the presence of Echinacea poUen in products, as allergies to pollens in the Asteraceae family are common. Ingestion of products made from the flowering top of Echinacea are thus more likely to result in allergic reactions than products made from the root and leaf (Mills and Bone 2005 Upton and Graff 2004). 

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