Allergic reactions to drugs: implications for perioperative care.

Clinically, one must be able to differentiate between an allergic reaction and an adverse reaction. Clinical manifestations of allergic reactions range from urticaria and rash to bronchoconstriction, laryngeal edema, hematologic disorders, and other serious reactions. Many drugs administered in the perioperative setting can cause allergic reactions. Antibiotics such as penicillins, beta-lactam antibiotics, and sulfonamides are the most common class of drugs that produce allergic reactions. A detailed allergy history is important when deciding if a patient can receive a drug that may cross-react (eg, a cephalosporin in a patient with a penicillin allergy). Vancomycin can cause a reaction that ranges from erythema and pruritus to clinically significant hypotension. Proper dilution and rate of administration are essential in minimizing the histamine from vancomycin that is thought to produce this reaction. "Sulfa allergy" describes an allergy to sulfonamide antibiotics; a patient with a "sulfa allergy" is not allergic to drugs containing sulfur, sulfites, or sulfates. Although true allergic reactions to opioids are rare, naturally occurring compounds like morphine and codeine can cause allergic reactions. After stopping the offending drug, mild allergic reactions can be managed with diphenhydramine, with or without a steroid. Significant allergic reactions require more aggressive management with oxygen, intravenous fluids, epinephrine, and histamine blockers. Copyright 2002 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.