Pharmacists May Know More About Penicillin Allergy Than Doctors

UPI ^ | June 13, 2017 | Amy Wallace

[nickcarraway]

Study shows 78 percent of pharmacists knew penicillin allergy can resolve itself over time compared to 55 percent of physicians.

Although most pharmacists know penicillin allergies can resolve over time, a new study found that many doctors are not aware of that.

The study, by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, analyzed 276 surveys completed by non-allergist physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and pharmacists at Rochester Regional Health in Rochester, N.Y., and found more than 80 percent of the general practitioners surveyed knew a referral to an allergist for testing is recommended for a person with a reported penicillin allergy. Many physicians, though, had either never referred patients or had done so with only one patient a year.

The pharmacists surveyed seemed to have a better overall understanding of penicillin allergy, particularly that it can resolve over time.

"We were not surprised pharmacists understood the course of penicillin allergy better than other clinicians, given more extensive pharmacology education," Mary Staicu, infectious diseases pharmacist, said in a press release. "Of those surveyed, 78 percent of pharmacists knew penicillin allergy can resolve over time. Only 55 percent of the remaining respondents [non-allergist physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners] did. The survey also showed a limited understanding among internists and general practitioners regarding the large numbers of people who report penicillin allergy but have never been tested."

Roughly 10 to 20 percent of Americans report having a penicillin allergy, however, previous research shows that number to be only 10 percent with true penicillin allergies.

"Our research found a poor understanding of penicillin allergy among non-allergists," allergist Dr. Allison Ramsey said. "This was not a surprising finding given the clinical experience of most allergists, but it does provide an excellent opportunity for education on the topic - not just for patients, but for all health care professionals."

Penicillin allergies can resolve as a person ages, but many adults diagnosed as children have not been retested to see if they still have the allergy -- resulting in unnecessary avoidance in some cases.

People who report having a penicillin allergy are prescribed second-line antibiotics, which may have a higher risk of side effects and increased cost.

"More than 90 percent of people labeled with a penicillin allergy can tolerate penicillin-based antibiotics," Ramsey said. "Our survey showed only 30 percent of physician survey respondents knew that. It's important that doctors understand the importance of confirming penicillin allergy. But it's even more important that those who carry the label be educated and tested."

The study was published in the June edition of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

[House Atreides]

If you don’t already, it would be a good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet (in the event that you had an accident and was being treated while unconscious).

[kalee]

Thanks for posting. I had a reaction as a child, will discuss it with my doctor when I see her next week.

[GailA]

Mine too, they are trained in drugs, while your doc has very little useful knowledge of drugs more what the sales rep tells them than real knowledge. I have a reaction list a full sheet long of their supposed ‘safe’ drugs. They don’t even know when the FDA has FLAGGED a drug, they just keep on prescribing them with NO warnings to patient. FDA even puts them OTC....Nexium is a short term drug, not a life time one. Barret’s Esophagus and Brittle Bones (OP) are common side effects of long term use...you are NOT TOLD THAT.

OP drugs are a big NO for heart patients, they ALL are FLAGGED for A-FIB plus other bad stuff.

My pharmacist was the first to tell me that the generic hypothyroid med was 30% less hormone than the name Brand Synthyroid, and all generics do NOT have to be at the same strength as Name Brand. Same goes for the diabetic test meters.

[Jamestown1630]

This appears to be the study that the article references. Maybe you should print it out and take it to the doc:

http://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(17)30339-3/fulltext

[Jamestown1630]

I’ve never had any reaction to antibiotics, except that one time with swelling after penicillin.

It always amuses me when you’re given a drug that instructs “Don’t take this if you are allergic to it.” How the heck do you know, until you take it once?

[Jamestown1630]

It was my pharmacist who realized that the terrible weakness that developed in my legs a few years ago was a result of anti-cholesterol medication - he said that muscle weakness was one of the major side-effects. I took that info to my GP, and he took me off off the drug.

Every now and then he expresses concern that I’m no longer on it, but apparently I’m not bad-off enough for him to insist.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I ended up in the hospital fpr three days after taking Cefzyl.

[Jamestown1630]

That’s awful. I guess I’ve been really lucky. I don’t like prescription pain meds because they make my brain fuzzy, but otherwise - except for the penicillin - I’ve never had an issue.

I’ve only taken a few antibiotics, though, and they tend to use the same ones for the same type of things. One that I’ve taken twice indicates possible “tendon tears” as a side-effect, which I thought was weird...

[kelly4c]

Thanks, I’ll do that.