allergic to most antibiotics

You have great info, but there are people like me with multiple antibiotic allergies, but I am also allergic to all antihistamines including benadryl-my reaction to it is anaphylaxis, I am also allergic to NSAIDS which induces severe bronchospasm in me. I am also allergic to the preservative in mepevicaine and the flu shot, so now I can no longer have dental procedures until this is sorted out or immunizations, also no allergist/immunologist thus far has been able to tell me that their allergy tests are preservative free and that there is not a risk of anaphylaxis to me during allergy testing. One allergist already refused to test me. I am at a complete loss of what to do and need dental work currently and currently have viral pneumonia but have reacted to too many antibiotics to be treated with one...it would be really helpful to have an MD's insight on this, and it is of great interest that someone calls this Multiple Antibiotic Allergy Syndrome-both my son and I have this and I am only 46, I am an RN and have wondered if this could have occurred with my immune system due to repeated exposures to drugs at work. Seems to me my immune system has become entirely hyperactive. Unfortunately I have not been able to get any help from my collegues in the medical community and would greatly appreciate some insight from anyone in the medical community who should read this.

Hi people,  I'm in a similar boat to most of you here.  Current problem is a tooth infection & no one will take it out until I take antibiotics, which I can't.. so I'm going round and round in circles.  I just got back from seeing a dental specialist in London & he says he gives his patients  Prednisolone or similar steroids before a lg dose of antibiotics to take the inflammation down.  I wonder if anyone here has tried that as a possibility?   I'm going to see my GP about this tomorrow.   Trouble is there's no one else home atm so really scared to try it.

To all who are struggling with allergy to antibotics, meds, foods and more, get checked for gluten intolerance. My allergies in general as well as allergy to all antibotics got hughly better going gluten-free. If you don't want to mess with the blood test which is highly inaccurate anyway, go to finerhealth.com and have the NONinvasive stool test.

I know exactly how you feel,, I'm going through the samething, as of today my doctor didn't know what to prescibe, the prescription he had written out to me, if I had taken it, I would of had a reaction, according to the pharmacist,, then the pharmacist had to decide??? what's up with that!! My Doctor was so confused,, and didn't no what to prescibe!! As of today I'm trying a new antibotic, and will be to scare to sleep tonight,, because I might develop a reaction!!

Thanl you for your answer. I have just begone being allergic to antibotics and like you I too am concern. I am 73 and have a family history of bad heart desease.

Not an antibiotic, but a homeopathic immune system booster. I am allergic to all antibiotics to the point of almost dying a few times. I take Echinacea and Goldenseal (you can get them together in capsules) That naturally helps fight off infections. For the most part I don't get any infections anymore.

did you try to take the ones that you are least allergic to with OTC antihistamines or more hardcore steroid based antiallergy stuff?

I am writing this with my personal experiences. If you are keen on your drug allergy condition you will be able to come out of it. Simply allergy is a over reaction of your body immunity system for external substances. That over reaction can be controlled in many ways by an experienced immunologist. Go to an immunologist. He will do IgE and skin test for allergens. Based on that he will start allergen desensitization and antihistamine treatments according to the allergy type you have. Antihistamine treatment mean, immune system is sub pressed up to some extend using some drugs. But the treatment is not just like other treatments, you have to carefully be with the treatment at lest 6 months until dr ask you to stop the treatment. Because under the treatment your immune system is trained not to react on particular necessary substances to your body. Under this treatment you will be injected the same allergen to get the allergy artificially. At the same time to control the artificially created allergy antihistamine tablets will be given. This process is called desensitization process for allergens. That process will take some time. Be patient to continue the treatment without failing to get tablets you are given. After you are comfortable wit allergy go to doctor and take the conformation test also. Otherwise that allergy may get again.

Hello. I'm new to this web site and found it while searching for an immunologist/allergist or facility that actually specializes in evaluating people with multiple antibiotic allergies (most allergists seem ill prepared to adequately assist people with multiple antibiotic allergies). My wife has to deal with this issue and I happen to be a chiropractor (30 years). Many years ago, we realized we would need to find 'alternative' means to fight off infections for her. Lots of research and personal experience has now proven that the following list of 'natural' products to be effective and safe in combatting a variety of infections (including bacterial, viral, fungal, etc). Please be sure you are not allergic to the remedies listed below PRIOR to trying any of them. However, they do work rather well, especially if taken at the very start of any suspected infection: Olive leaf extract (aka. Oleoropin): either liquid dropper bottle or capsules Grapefruit seed extract: liquid dropper bottle (caution... mix with juice as it is very bitter, but works wonders) ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed***Please read our Terms of Use Oil of oregano: again, either liquid dropper OR gelcaps Also, a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide placed in each ear (if no damage to eardrum) will often stave off a respiratory infection... wait for the 'bubbling' sensation to end, treating one ear at a time while on your side. Anyway, hope some of this helps. Also, for bladder infections, there is a 'non systemic' prescription antibiotic called 'Monurol' which does not seem to negatively affect some who have multiple antibiotic allergies. And don't forget cranberry juice and D-mannose at the first hint of bladder infection. All of the above are available in vitamin stores (except for the 'Monurol'). **P.S. I would love to hear directly from those of you who have multiple antibiotic allergies, but have found that you are able to tolerate just one or two antibiotics. If you will email me this info, I will informally re-post what you tell me. Maybe we can at least identify a couple of the more easily tolerated prescription antibiotics for many who have to deal with this challenge. Also, if you know of a clinic or physician that has shown exemplary skills and experience in dealing with this issue, please forward that to me as well. I will compile a list and post that as well.   Thanks and stay well, Dr. E. Krakow  ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed***Please read our Terms of Use  

We've recently made some progress! We got a blood test to show which exact drugs we were allergic to--then gave one of the lowest leveled allergy antibiotics at the emergency room with nurses/doctors aware and ready. We were so scared, but now are so relieved! We had some reaction, but not as bad as we thought, and now feel confident that we can take each one on our list and try it when appropriate. It means we are taking a calculated risk, and it is SO hard!! I am ready to really take this on, and deal with the severity of each allergen/antibiotic! There is hope!! :-D  

I am currently awaiting a call from Mayo in MN. I am 37 and have an allergy and reaction to all antibiotics. I too took a lot of penicillin as a child. I have had a triple disk neck fusion, complete hysterectomy, a fib and many other problems. Now that I am currently on the mend all my doctors said its very important I find out what to do about my allergies to Ned's in case I ever get sick. Now I'm just directed to ER for ivs and steroids. Did you get any answers?.. Any advice?

Great news. Where did you get testing done? I am currently waiting for call and appointment to Mayo clinic in mn. I am allergic to all antibiotics and need to find out what to do when I have an injection. I seem to have a week immune system so dr are concerned. Any help or info would be great. So thankful to find this site and see that others experience the same thing. ER knows my name by heart. It's awful.

I have been looking into this topic. Dr prescribed new med instead of Prilosec OTC and I have been having pins and needles in face and hands. So I started looking at the inactive ingredients in some of the RX and vitamins I have had reactions to in the past and the common factor is Magnesium stearate which is a soy and tree nut  (coconut i think) extract. I am allergic to other tree nuts (cashews, walnuts, pecans). Has any one else found a common inactive ingredient? Thanks for your time.

Here is something to think about. It may not be the antiobiotics but the inert ingredients in them. I too cannot take any antiobiotics because of my allergy to corn. Corn is hidden in everything under such names as cellulose, glucose, xanthan, propylene glycol and on and on. Over 100 names for hidden corn. The FDA is not help. It  is in every medication from antiobiotics, pain mediciations,  sinus pills, etc. I am very sick with an infection but can't take anything. It may be that there are ingredients that you are allergic to in the antiobiotics. You may want to be tested. Hope it helps someone. Barb

Hi,to everyone, I am encountering the same situation, unfortunately no one believes I have these side effects from antibiotics, it all started when i took Ciprofloxacin, i had tendon rapture, and burning sensation all over my body fo months, pain all over my body, my health had a large drop, doctors taught I was insane and prescribed antidepressants, which I took for a wek or so, I stopped taking any drug. And after 2 years of taking this drug I could run and play fooball again.It happened that i had a tooth infection and was prescribed amoxicillin, and the burning sensation and pain returned, I decided to try never take antibiotics again but this week i had a very bad cold and sinutitis and had 2 pill of co-amoxiclav of the lowest dose, again pain symptoms came up, i am taking now naproxen to remove the pain, I realy would like if there is anyone out there who can help me find a safer antibiotic or another alternative, at least i found a doctor wo understands my situation but others are very hard to convince.Thanks Frans