Penicillin allergic drug reactions

It is not uncommon for facilities to be dedicated for processing only one, or only one type of, drug substance to avoid cross-contamination. For example, some people are allergic to the penicillins, and fatal reactions are known to occur. 

These drugs cause nausea and vomiting, and can precipitate allergic reactions in penicillin-allergic patients. 

A hypersensitivity (or allergic) reaction to a drug occurs in some individuals, especially those with a history of allergy to many substances. Signs and symptoms of a hypersensitivity to penicillin are highlighted in Display 7-3. 

CS, a 55-year-old woman, is admitted to the hospital with an intraabdominal infection. During the patient interview, CS states that she is allergic to aspirin, codeine, sulfa drugs, penicillin, levofloxacin, and vancomycin. The reactions are described as follows ... 

Q34 Wh ich of the follov/ing drugs should be used v/ith utmost caution in o patient v/ho hod o severe allergic reaction to penicillin ... 

The two major questions concerning the use of antibiotics in agriculture are the safety of the residues in the animal-derived food and the antibiotic resistance that may develop from the use of these drugs in animals. I will not talk about antibiotic resistance as Mr. Frappaolo discusses this issue in a separate paper. The residue issue can be further divided into the toxicity and the allergic reaction to the drug residues. There is sufficient concern for the allergic reaction to penicillin that its tolerance is based upon this concern however, the rest of the antibiotics have tolerances based on toxicity other than the allergic reaction. 

---