¶ Allergy can be excluded based upon history if:
Δ Immediate reactions usually begin within 1 hour of the last administered dose and may begin within minutes. Some guidelines include reactions beginning up to 6 hours after the last administered dose. Common symptoms and signs include pruritus, flushing, urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm (wheezing, repetitive cough, difficulty breathing), laryngeal edema (throat tightness, change in voice quality), abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypotension.
◊ Delayed reactions begin later than 6 hours and more typically days into a course of treatment. A maculopapular or morbilliform eruption is the most common form of delayed reaction, but more serious forms exist. The evaluation and management of delayed reactions are discussed in the UpToDate topic on delayed hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins.
§ Alternative agents include antibiotics that are unrelated to penicillin, such as sulfonamides, tetracyclines, macrolides, or fluoroquinolones. Refer to the discussion of the use of related antibiotics (ie, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams) in the UpToDate topic on choice of antibiotics in penicillin-allergic patients.Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?