An allergic reaction to medication can be dangerous, even fatal. Many allergic reactions to medication are preventable. It may even amount to medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice lawyer Robert “Bobby” Jones explains medication allergic reactions and medical malpractice.
About Allergic Reactions to Medication
An allergic reaction to medication is an immune system response to taking a drug. It is an unwanted immune reaction to taking medication.
Just like a person can be allergic to nuts, eggs, shellfish, mold, or pollen, someone can be allergic to medication. In fact, according to Science Daily, medications are the top cause of allergy-related fatalities in the United States. 58.8% of anaphylaxis deaths are caused by medication, whereas 19.3% have an unknown cause, and 15.2% are caused by venom. Food causes only 6.7% of anaphylaxis deaths in the United States.
When the body has an allergic reaction, it is trying to stop the substance that has been released into the body. The body thinks that the substance is harmful. Unfortunately for the person taking the medication, the result may be unpleasant symptoms or even serious medical problems that threaten their well-being.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to medication
Common symptoms of allergic reaction to medication include:
- Trouble breathing, shortness of breath
- Hives, rash, skin discoloration
- Fever
- Swelling
- Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis may have varied symptoms, including throat closure, nausea, cramping, dizziness, lowered blood pressure, seizure, and unconsciousness.
Some symptoms of an allergic reaction to medication manifest themselves in the short term, but others can be delayed. Delayed symptoms of an allergic reaction may include serum sickness, lowered red blood cell count, rash, and kidney inflammation.
Are drug allergies the same thing as a side effect?
Drug allergies are different than side effects because drug allergies are unwanted and unusual responses to taking a medication. Side effects are usually not an immune system response.
Allergic Reactions and Medical Malpractice
Your medical care providers should be aware that an allergic reaction to a medication is a possibility. They should identify risk factors and potential causes to mitigate the risk during treatment.
An allergic reaction to medication can occur because of the medication itself, because of an unexpected drug interaction, or because of a medical mistake where the person receives the wrong drug or the wrong amount.
Some types of medications have especially high allergy rates, including:
- Antibiotics, penicillin, tetracycline
- Seizure medication
- Insulin
- X-ray contrast dyes
- Sulfa drugs, sulfonamides
- NSAIDs, ibuprofen, aspirin
- Chemotherapy drugs
An allergic reaction may occur even though a person hasn’t had problems in the past.
Can an Allergic Reaction From Medication be the Basis for Medical Malpractice?
An allergic reaction from medication may be the basis for medical malpractice if a care provider was negligent in providing care. Medical care must be provided to accepted levels of skill and competence. If prescribing the medication, monitoring the patient, or responding to an allergic reaction was done negligently, the victim may have a claim for medical malpractice.
Examples of medical malpractice because of an allergic reaction from medication
Here are some examples of how medical malpractice may arise from an allergic reaction to medication:
- Prescribing a medicine even though the patient has a known allergy to it
- Failing to understand which drugs have the highest potential to cause an allergic reaction
- Ignoring the potential for interaction when a patient is taking multiple medications
- Mistakes in dispensing medication so that the patient receives the wrong substance or the wrong amount
- Not being aware of the signs that a patient is having a reaction
- Reacting poorly when a patient shows symptoms
- Not considering other courses of treatment that are less likely to cause a reaction, not weighing the benefits of a certain course of treatment against the possibility of a reaction
- Failing to warn the patient of the possibility of a reaction so that they can make an informed decision about their care
Talk to a Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered an allergic reaction from taking medication, it may be the result of medical malpractice. You may deserve financial compensation.
Bobby Jones is a Greenville-area lawyer with longtime experience handling medical malpractice cases. If you have been harmed, we invite you to contact our law firm. Learn about your legal rights and see how Bobby Jones Law can assist you. Contact us today.
