Just How Rare Are Allergic Reactions to Penicillin?

Up to 10 percent of all patients and 15 percent of hospitalized patients report some type of penicillin reaction.

Allergic reactions to medications are relatively rare. Symptoms include skin rash, hives, itching, fever, swelling, shortness of breath, wheezing, runny nose, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Penicillin allergy is the most commonly reported medication allergy. Examples of penicillin medications include amoxicillin, Augmentin, penicillin G and ampicillin. Up to 10 percent of all patients and 15 percent of hospitalized patients report some type of penicillin reaction. However, upon further evaluation by an allergist, many of these patients are not truly allergic and may safely receive penicillin.

Patients in my practice often ask me why it is important to know they are truly allergic to penicillin. Studies have shown that patients who are administered non-penicillin antibiotics are at higher risk for the development of antibiotic-resistant infections. Additionally, health care costs are higher when patients are administered non-penicillin antibiotics.

Penicillin-allergy testing is accurate, quick and mildly painful.  The testing involves scratch testing followed by a series of intradermal (small needle) testing. Some patients are not candidates for allergy testing if they have had severe penicillin reactions. Therefore, current recommendations are to see a fellowship-trained allergist/immunologist to receive appropriate evaluation and testing.

Eric Karlin, M.D.: Dr. Eric Karlin is an allergist/immunologist board-certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. He is a native of South Florida and attended Rollins College for his undergraduate degree in biochemistry. After graduating from medical school at the University of Miami in 2009, he completed his internal medicine residency at Vanderbilt University. After completion of his fellowship, Dr. Karlin practiced as an associate professor in the division of Allergy and Immunology at New York Medical College and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. Dr. Karlin joined Allergy Partners of Hampton Roads in 2016. Having allergies himself, Dr. Karlin has experienced the significant improvement in symptoms that care from an allergist can offer. He is happily married to Dr. Mariel Fosceneau, who practices as a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist in the Hampton Roads area. In their spare time, they enjoy cooking, seeing movies and traveling. They are excited to be making the Peninsula their new home.