Allergy Care - Penicillin Allergy

Penicillin allergies develop largely because the immune system responds to the drug as if it were a harmful substance. Subsequent exposure to penicillin or related antibiotics can trigger an allergic response.

The most commonly prescribed antibiotic belonging to the penicillin family are ampicillin and amoxicillin. These are most often used to treat skin, ear, sinus and respiratory infections. They are relatively inexpensive and generally effective.

If you suspect you are allergic to penicillin you need to talk to your doctor and discuss the option to have a skin test for confirmation.

The main strategy for penicillin allergy is avoiding the drug and those antibiotics that belong to the penicillin family.