Allergic to Penicillin

By:
Karen Baar

Penicillin, together with other antibiotics, has decreased the incidence and severity of many infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and diphtheria, as well as treated ear, nose and throat infections, respiratory and urinary tract infections, prostate infections, and certain sexually transmitted diseases.

In addition to the ability to treat infectious diseases, the ability of antibiotics to control infection has made cardiac surgery, organ transplants, and treatment of severe burns now possible.

Although most penicillins are safe for the majority of people, some people may experience side effects or allergic reactions. The most serious of these is anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can cause skin rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, shock, and unconsciousness.

An early sign of anaphylaxis is a feeling of warmth and flushing.

If any of these occurs, the medicine should be stopped and emergency help sought immediately.

In some cases, these symptoms can progress to death. Also, if you notice blood in your urine, have large amounts of light-colored urine, or experience swelling of the face or ankles, difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness, consult your doctor immediately.

Certain penicillins--amoxicillin and clavulanate, azlocillin, mezlocillin, oxacillin, or piperacillin--may occasionally cause dark or amber urine, pale stools, stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin.

If you experience any of these symptoms, check with your doctor immediately. On rare occasions some types of penicillin may cause severe abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, or bloating or severe or bloody diarrhea.

If diarrhea is severe and watery, or if it has blood in it, check with your doctor immediately.

Other rare side effects include fever, increased thirst, severe nausea or vomiting, unusual tiredness or weakness, weight loss, seizures, or unusual bleeding or bruising.

If any of these occur (and they may not occur until several weeks after you stop taking the medicine), check with your doctor immediately.

Common, less serious, side effects that some people experience include mild diarrhea and mild nausea or vomiting.

Diarrhea medicine containing kaolin (such as Kaopectate or Donnagel) or attapulgite (such as Diasorb) may be taken to relieve mild diarrhea.

However, some ingredients in diarrhea medicine, such as lactose, may make diarrhea worse, so read labels carefully. Occasionally, certain types of penicillin may cause the tongue to darken or discolor.

This condition will probably be temporary and will go away when the medicine is stopped.

Before Taking This Medicine

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin, be sure to let your doctor know, preferably at your first visit, even if you do not then have an infection.

Your doctor should also be told if you have a general history of allergy, such as asthma, eczema, hay fever or hives; if you have ever had a reaction to Novocain (procaine) or other medicines that cause numbing; or if you are on a special diet or are allergic to any substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes. Also, before taking penicillin, be sure to let your doctor know:

1. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.Although penicillins have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animals, studies have not been done in humans. Penicillin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

2. If you are breast-feeding. Most penicillins pass into the breast milk in small amounts and may cause allergic reactions, diarrhea, fungal infections, and skin rash in babies.

3. If you have a history of specific medical problems, such as bleeding problems, kidney disease, liver disease, infectious mononucleosis, or stomach or intestinal disease, especially colitis or enteritis.

4. If you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicine.Additionally, women on birth control pills containing estrogen should use an additional type of birth control when taking ampicillin, bacampicillin, or penicillin V because the effect of birth control pills may be diminished.

Source: FDA Consumer