The Drug Allergy Program at Penn Medicine provides comprehensive drug allergy evaluations to identify or clear drug allergy labels for patients. 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.
The Importance of Drug Allergy Management for Patients
Among the most commonly 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 drug allergy. Research has shown, however, that more than 90% of individuals with a penicillin or amoxicillin allergy label can actually tolerate these medications. This is partly because most people outgrow their allergy.
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:
- Longer hospital stays
- Higher rates of drug-resistant bacteria
- Worse clinical outcomes
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.
Drug Allergies Evaluated by Penn Medicine
There are several drugs for which our Drug Allergy Program provides evaluation. These include:
- Penicillin antibiotics
- Other antibiotics
- Non-antibiotic medications
- Anesthetic agents
What to Expect During a Drug Allergy Evaluation
When you first meet with your allergy immunologist, you will be asked several questions about your medical history. Your doctor will also review your medical records. This information will provide a better understanding of the likelihood of a drug reaction or the type of reaction.
Following this review of your medical history, you may be asked to participate in a variety of testing to gauge your level of drug intolerance. Your medical records will be updated to reflect the results of these drug allergy tests, and your allergy immunologist will communicate the results with your other doctors.
Skin Testing
Depending on the history of the reaction or the drug involved, your allergy immunologist may recommend a skin test to the drug (if available). Many times, skin testing is not appropriate or available for the drug in question. In this case, the doctor will rely on the history to help understand the nature of the drug sensitivity.
If a skin test is performed and is negative, you may be asked to complete a drug challenge.
Monitored Drug Challenge
A drug challenge involves cautious administration of the drug (either by mouth or applied to the skin) in the Allergy Clinic. During this test, you will be closely monitored for reactions by trained allergy nurses, doctors and other staff who are equipped to treat you in the rare event that a reaction occurs. Sometimes, your allergy immunologist will recommend a drug challenge without a preceding skin test if your history indicates that you are very unlikely to be allergic to the medication.
A drug allergy test usually takes between 1 ½ and 4 hours. Most of this time involves waiting and monitoring, so we ask that you bring something to keep you busy in the office. The nurse will inform you of what to expect before your appointment is made.
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.
Request an Appointment
To make an appointment, please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.