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Medication allergy test

Old man visiting young doctor in covid-19 vaccination concept

All medications (tablets, liquids, injectables, suppositories, creams etc.) have potential to develop allergic reactions. It can happen in the childhood or any time of life. Some of the reactions are mild, but they can be deadly (anaphylaxis).

We can help you and your physician to determine if you had a serious allergic reactions to specific medication. We do skin testing to antibiotics, all anesthetics (such as Lidocaine), and almost every medication, including natural supplements and herbs. In some cases we recommend to take a small amount of suspected medicine under observation in our office.

What if you really need to take some medication (such as antibiotic) that you had really bad reaction to in the past? There is a solution! Special protocol is available for many medicines to be safely given back under Allergist’s careful observation. Tell your physician about such opportunity

Aspirin sensitivity can lead to serious asthma and nasal polyps. We successfully give aspirin back using specific protocol. Talk to your doctor if you have allergy to Aspirin.

Is this rash an allergic reaction?

Woman scratching her back closeup

All medications have a potential of side effects and allergic reaction. If you were given medication and developed allergy it is important to figure out if that was one of the side effects that are common or potentially life threatening reaction.

As allergic reaction to medication is unpredictable, you may be scared. That is why you need to schedule your consultation and testing at our clinic. If you had a something happened which is suspicious of true allergy to the drug it is not wise to guess. Only an Allergist who is experienced with drug reactions can give you answers.

Is there an allergy to lidocaine?

doctor talking to her male senior patient at office

Yes and No. Not really from a conventional point of view. That means reactions to lidocaine will not cause anaphylaxis. But there are many serious reactions that can happen if the Lidocaine is mixed with other medications or preservatives. Also, there are delayed-type immune reactions.

Drugs like lidocaine have side effects that may look like allergy, but is not. While symptoms might look allergic, the true mechanism is different. Usually problems come from other components of lidocaine – epi or preservatives. As lidocaine reactions frequently happen we offer a test to figure our which of other substitutes can be safely used instead of the one that caused symptoms.

We can test you to 5-6 different lidocaine analogs – similar medicines that could be used as local pain killers in dental and medical offices. That will allow you to have procedures done without pain and without side effects.

Please read these articles and print them for your dentist to explain:

 2021; 14: 47–58.
Published online 2021 Jan 22. doi: 10.2147/JAA.S292442
PMCID: PMC7837570
PMID: 33519213 Identification of Risk Factors and Cross-Reactivity of Local Anesthetics Hypersensitivity: Analysis of 14-Years’ Experience
 2018 Oct-Dec; 12(4): 571–577.
PMCID: PMC6180686
PMID: 30429739 2% lidocaine versus 3% prilocaine for oral and maxillofacial surgery
 2013 Mar; 12(1): 3–10.
Published online 2012 Apr 5. doi: 10.1007/s12663-012-0368-4
PMCID: PMC3589513
PMID: 24431806 Efficacy of 4 % Articaine and 2 % Lidocaine: A clinical study

Can I just get a test without appointment?

Office employee having eyesight problems

You will need an initial consultation. That will be the time to discuss all concerns and history. So do not forget to bring all medical records and labs (if they were done). If you do not have it – don’t worry. We can contact the doctors who treated you. We also can get your records on your behalf.

After the Doctor makes a decision about testing we will help you to schedule a test day. We will make every attempt to safely figure out what exactly happened, and what to do about it.

As we know certain medications are crucial and cannot be substituted. While allergic reaction to such meds is a serious concern, don’t worry! Indeed modern desensitization protocols can rescue the situation. So that treatment will allow you to take a desperately needed medication! After that you can have an antibiotic or aspirin product without allergic reaction! Such protocols can be done only in the hospital under an Allergist care.