A drug allergy occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to a substance (allergen) in a medicine that the person has taken, which triggers an allergic reaction. Symptoms include hives or welts, rash, swelling, redness, and blisters.
A drug allergy may also cause serum sickness (characterized by hives, joint pain, fever, and swollen glands), high fever and chills, or anaphylaxis, a severe whole-body (systemic) reaction that can be life-threatening.
Penicillin is the most common cause of drug allergies. Other medicines that commonly cause allergic reactions include other antibiotics, anesthesia, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Treatment includes not taking the medicine that causes the reaction and taking medicine to relieve symptoms. In severe cases (anaphylaxis), emergency care is needed.