But unlike allergies, side effects don't involve the immune system. Telling the difference can be hard, because drug sensitivities may trigger symptoms similar to an allergic reaction. Most of the unwanted symptoms you might experience from taking a prescription drug are not caused by an allergic reaction. Real drug allergies – the ones you want to watch out for – are different, with reactions ranging from mild to life threatening. Most drug allergies respond to treatment, but you have to take them seriously and act fast. They are often mild, like stomachaches or sleepiness, and disappear after you stop taking the drug.
Instead, many reactions are side effects - annoying but not serious. Yet, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology says true allergies account for only a small number of these reactions – about 5 to 10 percent.
#ADVERSE REACTION VS SIDE EFFECT HOW TO#
How to Tell Drug Allergies from Side Effectsĭoctors call these unwanted or unexpected symptoms “adverse reactions,” and they’re not uncommon.
Each year, millions of Americans experience unwanted reactions to prescription medicine - reactions that are bad enough to send them to their doctor’s office or the emergency room. You’re taking that medicine to be healthier, right? But sometimes, helpful drugs can harm.
0 kommentar(er)
