Your Care Instructions
A drug allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to something in a medicine. This causes an allergic reaction. Your child may have:
- Skin problems, such as hives or a rash.
- Swelling of the lips, mouth, and throat.
- Trouble breathing.
- Belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
A reaction can range from mild to life-threatening.
After your child has this reaction to a medicine, he or she may always be allergic to that medicine and to others like it.
Drug allergies are not the same as side effects and drug interactions. Side effects are bad reactions to a medicine. They are not usually serious. Drug interactions are when two or more drugs do not get along in your child's body. Some people may confuse these with drug allergies.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter N521 in the search box to learn more about "Drug Allergy in Children: Care Instructions".