ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO DRUGS AND BIOLOGIC AGENTS

Drug allergies are adverse reactions resulting from immunologic respon ses to drugs or their metabolites. These reactions result in predictab le patterns of organ-specific or systemic hypersensitivity that usuall y recur on subsequent exposure to the same drug. Although diagnostic t esting for drug allergy is available for only a few drugs, protocols h ave been developed to assist in management of allergic reactions to ma ny drugs and biologic agents. Other protocols assist in the management of patients who develop drug reactions while under-going multiple dru g therapy or those with a history of adverse drug reactions who again require treatment for the same condition.