Drug allergy prevention and treatment

Allergies reactions to drugs are a major contributor to the overall spectrum of adverse drug reactions. The prevention of drug allergies relies on a well-performed historical evaluation and in vitro and in vivo testing when available. Treatment of ongoing reactions involves removal of the drug and substitution of an alternative agent or treatment of the symptoms when no alternative is available. Finally, desensitization procedures allow patients to receive safely a drug to which they are sensitive.