Nowadays, while new drugs are being developed for the treatment of diseases, our body experiences allergic reactions to these drugs. Drug allergies are not actually very common allergic diseases, but they are becoming more common every day with new drugs. Moreover, drug allergies must be diagnosed because they can lead to allergic shock, which can result in death.
Drug allergies are against the drugs we take for treatment. It occurs because our immune system perceives these drugs as foreign substances and then overreacts to these substances. Even though the same drug has been used many times before, the last time it is used may cause many serious reactions, from urticaria to anaphylactic shock (allergic shock).
Drugs treatment It includes everything we take for the purpose of life, sometimes from a painkiller to antibiotics, sometimes from herbal products to food supplements and vitamins, all the products we take can cause an allergic reaction. Painkillers that patients often use or antibiotics that they have used many times before can unexpectedly cause an allergic reaction. Any drug that we think of as a simple painkiller or an antibiotic that everyone uses can result in an allergic reaction.
ARE DRUG REACTIONS OR DRUG ALLERGIES COMMON IN ADULTS
Drug reactions can be diagnosed or It can be defined as any harmful or undesirable reaction that occurs at the doses used for treatment. Drug reactions are common in daily clinical practice and affect 15-25% of patients; Serious reactions occur in 7-13% of patients.
Drug reactions are predictable reactions that can occur in any (type A) or only in susceptible individuals ( type B) are classified as unpredictable reactions that occur.
Predictable reactions are the most common type of drug reactions and are usually dose-related and related to the known pharmacological effects of the drug (e.g. side effects , overdose, drug interactions). Reactions such as palpitations may occur.
Unpredictable reactions are seen in approximately 20-25% of patients experiencing drug reactions; These reactions are generally unrelated to the chemical pharmacological effects of the drug as we know it.
Drug allergy is a type of unpredictable drug reactions that occur due to hypersensitivity reactions mediated by the immune system through various mechanisms. It accounts for approximately 5-10% of all drug reactions. Drug allergies are not common, but drug reactions, that is, undesirable effects of drugs, may occur more frequently because they are also seen as drug allergies. Drug allergies are just one of the diseases caused by drugs. Not every drug reaction should be called allergy. It would be appropriate to diagnose drug allergy after being evaluated by allergists and performing the necessary tests. Drug allergies account for a small portion of all drug reactions. However, it needs to be taken very seriously as it can sometimes result in death.
Drug allergies not only affect the patient's quality of life, but can also delay or prevent treatment, lead to the use of less effective alternative drugs, unnecessary research, and even death. Determining drug allergy is difficult due to different complaints and clinical appearances. Therefore, if a drug-induced allergic disorder is suspected, it is recommended to consult an allergist experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of drug allergy.
HOW DOES DRUG ALLERGY OCCUR IN ADULTS?
Nowadays, while new drugs are being developed for the treatment of diseases, our body also experiences allergic reactions to these drugs. Drug allergies are not actually very common allergic diseases, but they are becoming more common every day with new drugs.
When looking at allergic reactions to drugs, they can be divided into 4 classes according to the classification system that defines immune mechanisms.
This classification system includes the following
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) or immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies (type II) Cytotoxic reactions mediated by strong> lead to less common decreases in blood cells such as thrombocytopenia and anemia. Although the duration varies after taking the drug, it may occur immediately or later.
Immune complex reactions (type III) may occur weeks after taking the drug. Pictures such as serum sickness, vasculitis, arthralgia, fever, and rash may occur 1-3 weeks after the drugs are taken.
Delayed type reactions ( type IV ) that occur by cellular immune mechanisms, most of which are transmitted by contact means. It is seen with drug exposure. Contact dermatitis, which occurs due to drugs or additives in creams applied to the skin, is the most common allergic condition. Skin rashes that appear on the skin are associated with type IV allergies. They usually appear within 2-7 days after drug administration. Allergy tests can be performed for these allergic reactions.
Apart from all these immune mechanisms, there are drugs that cause pseudoallergic reactions. Some drugs directly stimulate allergy cells, causing the release of chemicals called histamine from allergy cells. Such reactions occur especially with NSAID painkillers, ACEI-containing blood pressure medications and radiocontrast opaque materials. It is produced and causes serious reactions without using other pathways of the immune system.
Since drug allergy occurs through different mechanisms, it causes different complaints and clinical appearances. Therefore, if a drug-induced allergic disorder is suspected, it is recommended to consult an allergist experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of drug allergy.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE DRUG ALLERGY IN ADULTS?
Nowadays, while new drugs are being developed for the treatment of diseases, our body experiences allergic reactions to these drugs. Drug allergies are not actually very common allergic diseases, but they are becoming more common every day with new drugs.
Factors that increase the risk of developing drug allergies include age, gender, genetic characteristics, some viral infections and drug-related chemical properties. .
Drug allergy is typically seen more in young and middle-aged adults and is not very common in children. It is more common in women than men.
Viral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are known to increase the risk. p>
People's genetic structure is also among the reasons that increase the risk of drug allergy. The risk of occurrence is higher in those with a family history of drug allergies. Immune mechanisms against drugs are important in the development of drug reactions. In addition, our metabolism, which is necessary for the elimination of drugs in our body, is directly related to our genetic structure.
In addition, topical, intramuscular, and intravenous drug application is more likely to cause allergic drug reactions than oral application. Intravenous administration may cause more severe reactions. Prolonged high doses or frequent doses have a higher risk of causing hypersensitivity reactions than a single dose. Additionally, drugs with large macromolecular structures, such as penicillin, and hapten drugs (which bind to tissue or blood proteins and elicit an immune response) are more likely to cause allergic reactions.
Drugs with an atopic allergic structure. Although the risk of drug allergy is not high in patients In this case, the risk of serious allergic reactions increases.
Drugs are absolutely necessary in the treatment of diseases, but while they are beneficial when given appropriately, they can cause serious problems if they are unnecessary or not given correctly. When applying drug treatments, people should definitely tell their doctor about any allergic reactions they have experienced before. As we know, in drug allergies, if an allergy occurs with a drug, the next reaction will lead to more serious conditions. Risk factors for drug allergy should be taken into account and treatment should be planned accordingly.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ALLERGY IN ADULTS?
Nowadays, while new drugs are being developed for the treatment of diseases, there is resistance to these drugs. Allergic reactions occur in our body. Drug allergies are not actually very common allergic diseases, but they are becoming more common every day with new drugs.
Drug allergies can present themselves with different clinical appearances at different times. In drug allergies, reactions may occur within minutes of taking the drug, or drug-related complaints may occur weeks later. Reactions to medications may occur at different times due to different mechanisms used by the immune system.
Symptoms that appear within minutes and hours after taking the medication
- Skin rash
- Urticaria (hives)
- Itching
- Difficulty in breathing Wheezing
- Runny nose, itching and watery eyes
- Abdominal pain
- Risk of Anaphylaxis
Skin is the organ most frequently and most noticeably affected by drug-related allergic reactions. One of the skin manifestations is widespread exanthema (also known as maculopapular rash), which appears between the day and 3 weeks after drug exposure and is characterized by patches originating on the trunk and eventually spreading to the arms and legs.
It is more common in urticaria and angioedema and can result from both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated mechanisms. It may occur within minutes after taking the drug.
Drug reactions occurring on the skin
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