Drug Allergies

Question 1

drug allergy

Answer 1

a drug allergy is an adverse drug reaction that results from a specific immunologic response to a medication.

Question 2

Identify the symptoms of a true drug allergy

Answer 2

hives; a rash; difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing; wheezing; and severely low blood pressure (hypotension) and severe allergic reaction also referred to as anaphylaxis

Question 3

Type I drug allergy reactions onset, mechanism, and symptoms/manifestations

Answer 3

immediate onset
mediated by IgE
symptoms: rash, pruritus, flushing, angioedema, wheezing, GI symptoms, hypotension, anaphylaxis is most severe.
Commonly associated w.: beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins and cephalosporins) and quinolones

Question 4

Type II drug allergy reactions onset, mechanism, and symptoms/manifestations

Answer 4

delayed onset
IgG mediated
symptoms: hemolytic anemia, drop in platelets / WBCs
uncommon

Question 5

Type III drug allergy reactions onset, mechanism, and symptoms/manifestations

Answer 5

delayed onset
IgG mediated
symptoms: serum sickness and vasculitits

Question 6

Type IV drug allergy reactions onset, mechanism, and symptoms/manifestations

Answer 6

delayed onset
T-cell mediated
usual manifestion is skin: contact dermatitis, maculopapular eruptions, SDRIFE, drug fever, DRESS, stevens-johnson syndrome

Question 7

common source of food allergies

Answer 7

o Egg, milk, wheat, peanuts, and gelatin

o Shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and fish

Question 8

common source of dye allergies

Answer 8

o FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), Yellow No. 6, Yellow No. 10
o Blue No. 1 and No. 2
o Red No. 40

Question 9

common source of preservative allergies

Answer 9

o Sulfites

o Benzalkonium chloride

Question 10

common source of latex allergies

Answer 10

o Injectable vial stoppers contain latex
o prefilled syringe tip cap
o latex gloves

Question 11

people at risk for an allergic drug reaction

Answer 11

• People who have an allergy to one drug are more likely to have reactions to other drugs
• Drug allergies occur more often in women and young and middle-aged adults
• Certain genetic make-ups are more susceptible
• People with a family history of drug allergy may be at greater risk
• People with HIV or a history of Epstein-Barr virus (the one that causes mono) are at greater risk
• Increased exposure can increase the risk of drug allergy

Question 12

cross-reactivity

Answer 12

People who are allergic to a drug may also have allergic reactions to drugs that share a similar chemical structure

Question 13

CYP 450 enzymes

Answer 13

essential for the metabolism of many medications

Question 14

drugs that induce CYP 450 enzymes

Answer 14

o Induction increases metabolism of drugs metabolized by this system
o Induction of metabolism leads to a reduction in pharmacologic action and potential treatment failure

Question 15

drugs that inhibit CYP 450 enzymes

Answer 15

o Inhibiting enzyme action leads to a decrease in metabolism of drugs metabolized by a particular enzyme systems
o Decreased metabolism leads to the drug being available longer and an increase in pharmacological action.