Antibiotic Allergies

[anonymous]

I have a number of antibiotic allergies including anaphylactic responses to beta-lactams (I've had episodes with penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems, so I've been told to just say all beta-lactams) and clindamycin. I also was told after a surgery several years ago that I should not take macrolides. Unfortunately, I can't remember the specifics, so I'm really not sure of what the reaction was -- my thought is probably a rash and wheels since I don't remember an anaphylactic event.

I'm worrying about whether or not I'm really allergic to macrolides because of the zithromax trials. Back a dozen years or so ago, I took azithromycin regularly along with Biaxin without any difficulties, so I'm hoping to be able to try it again. However, between an anaphlaxis event with clindamycin and the vague note about macrolide allergies, my clinic is hesitant to try it...

I do not believe that there is any type of blood test for the macrolides to determine allergy, but does anyone know of a way to see whether or not I can still handle zithromax? I never had any problem on it, but I do know that these antibiotic allergies can definitely develop, so I shouldn't rely on the past...

So, has anyone with antibiotic allergies tried this? Or has anyone had successful enough results to justify trying it?

 

[thelizardqueen]

Well I am allergic to cephalosporins, but I tolerate Zithro quite well.

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>

I have a number of antibiotic allergies including anaphylactic responses to beta-lactams (I've had episodes with penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems, so I've been told to just say all beta-lactams) and clindamycin. I also was told after a surgery several years ago that I should not take macrolides. Unfortunately, I can't remember the specifics, so I'm really not sure of what the reaction was -- my thought is probably a rash and wheels since I don't remember an anaphylactic event.
</end quote></div>

Penicillin, cephalosporins and carbapemens are all penicillin derivatives. My guess is that you don't take Augmentin either. You're allergic to penicillins (and a sub-class of those are beta-lactams like AUgmentin).

True macrolide allergies are less than 1% of the United States population.

And if you've been on Zithro or Biaxin before, you can take them again.

If you're worried, get an Epi Pen and carry it around with you for 5 days after you take your Zithro (zithromax has a 1/2 life of 68 hours and therefore will stay in your body for nearly 30 days). You'll be most likely to have a reaction within the first few days of a dose.

But I'm really confident you don't have a macrolide allergy. And your penicillin allergy is quite common.

 

[anonymous]

I'm allergic to penicillians, cephlasporins and macrolides.

I had an AWFUL reaction to Biaxin. I broke out in awful hives all over...even in my mouth and in my ears. My lips and stuff started swelling up, trouble breathing etc As a result, since that reaction is so severe, they won't even try Zithromax or even Ketek. Neither of which I've ever had. I also reacted to erytrhomycin but not quite as badly as to Biaxin.

I was told if it ever came to it, that they could hospitalize me and challenge some of those allergies. Though not Biaxin because of how severe the reaction was.