The Drug Allergy Program at Penn performs comprehensive drug allergy evaluations to identify or remove drug allergy labels. The goal is to enable patients to safely receive the most effective medication for their condition.
Specialists at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania and Presbyterian Hospital draw upon their experience managing a range of drug hypersensitivity reactions to expertly care for both outpatient and hospitalized patients.
Among the most prescribed, and most effective medications available to treat infection are penicillin and amoxicillin. Unfortunately, one in 10 people are classified as having a penicillin or amoxicillin allergy. Research has shown, however, that more than 90% of individuals with a penicillin or amoxicillin allergy label can actually tolerate these medications. More importantly, it’s been demonstrated that people with a penicillin or amoxicillin allergy label often receive a second-line antibiotic and therefore overall have worse clinical outcomes including longer hospital stays, higher rates of drug-resistant bacteria.
Through the Drug Allergy Program, Penn Allergy Immunologists are working to flip this narrative by identifying, testing and, where possible, clearing patients with this label so they can benefit from these antibiotics if needed in the future.
Expedited Penicillin Allergy Evaluation for Expectant Mothers
About one-third of pregnant women are expected to need penicillin or related antibiotic during pregnancy, labor, or soon after delivery. Our doctors and nurses routinely evaluate pregnant women using skin test and drug challenge. With the majority of patients, we are able to confirm they no longer have a penicillin allergy and can receive appropriate antibiotics should they require it during delivery or in future.
Drugs Evaluated by the Penn Drug Allergy Program
There are several drugs for which our program provides evaluation. These include:
- Penicillin antibiotics
- Sulfa antibiotics
- Other antibiotics
- Non-antibiotic medications
- Anesthetic agents
- Vaccines
Research in Drug Allergy
The Penn physicians perform research on the impact of penicillin and other beta-lactam allergies on patients with hematologic malignancy and perform drug allergy delabeling intervention studies on inpatients as well as outpatients. The Penn Drug Allergy Program has published on the efficacy and safety of penicillin allergy evaluation in pregnant women, as well as health disparities in drug allergy evaluation.