Drug allergy.

Drug allergy is one type of adverse reaction to drugs and encompasses a spectrum of hypersensitivity reactions with heterogeneous mechanisms and clinical presentations. A thorough history is essential to the management of drug allergy. Laboratory testing has a very limited role in the management of drug allergy. Graded dose challenges and procedures to induce drug tolerance might be required in patients with drug allergy when there is a definite need for a particular agent. Management of reactions to specific agents, including beta-lactam antibiotics, sulfonamides, local anesthetics, radiocontrast media, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and biologic modifiers, will be discussed in further detail. Copyright 2010 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.