Switching or starting a new drug prescribed by a doctor can be scary with the long line of side effects that come along with most of them these days. One of the possible serious side effects being a drug allergy, which can cause severe and even life threatening side effects.
With that said, when a drug allergy occurs symptoms appear within an hour, but in rare cases allergic reactions can occur with prolong use of a drug as late as a month. Either way, knowing the side effects of a drug allergy is a helpful way to diagnose one.
What are some of the side effects of a possible drug allergy?
Some of the most common side effects of a drug allergy are:
- Constant runny nose
- Swelling in the face and body
- Watery itchy eyes
- Breathing complications such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and an asthma attack
- High fever
- Skin reactions such as rashes and hives
Rare, but a severe condition that can occur with a drug allergy is anaphylaxis, which is a condition that causes side effects such as:
- Tightening of the airways
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal discomforts
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Unbalanced blood pressure levels
- Irregular bowel movements
- Headaches
- Dehydration
Reactions that occur from a drug allergy weeks or even months later from long exposure to a medication can cause drug allergies known as:
- Serum sickness that causes flu like symptoms
- Drug-induced anemia causing fatigue and blood loss
- Nephritis a condition that causes inflammation of the kidneys
- Drug rash eosinophilia and systemic symptoms also known as DRESS
What should occur if a drug allergy develops?
If a drug allergy occurs or you are experience a negative reaction to it, you must call a doctor or seek out medical attention immediately. Some allergic reactions to medications can cause death if not caught and treated in time.
With that said, if the allergic reaction is occurring rapidly just dial 911 from your home phone, cell phone or any landline. Medical responders can reach you faster than you can reach a hospital, which increases your chances of stopping the reaction sooner rather than later, and in life threatening cases saving your life.
What are some end thoughts to keep in mind?
Some end thoughts to keep in mind with a drug allergy are sometimes mood changes can be one of the side effects of a drug allergy, but are rare. Muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, high white blood cell counts, extreme fatigue and heart complications are also rare, but possible allergic reactions that can occur with medications, which are also important to keep in mind and tell your doctor.
Remember, every bit of information you remember and can give your doctor will help diagnose your drug allergy. After a proper diagnosis, your doctor will take you off the drug and prescribe you a new one to help get you feeling better.