Penicillin Allergy

Penicillin allergy is the most common drug allergy, but most patients who carry this drug allergy label can safely tolerate it. One in 10 people report a penicillin allergy, however, 90% of them are not truly allergic. Allergies also change over time; 80% of patients lose their penicillin allergy after 10 years. Unnecessary avoidance of penicillin is associated with adverse outcomes such as antibiotic resistance and longer hospitalizations. Penicillin drug class includes medications such as Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, and Augmentin.

To evaluate for penicillin allergy, our providers will first take a detailed history of your past reaction to determine if skin-testing is indicated. If skin-testing is done and comes back negative, you will likely undergo a drug challenge, which consists of taking a full dose of the medication under close medical supervision in our office.

Adapted from:

https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/penicillin-allergy-

faq#:~:text=How%20common%20in%20penicillin%20allergy,severe%20reaction%20such%20as%20anaphylaxis.