ADVERSE REACTIONS TO BETA-LACTAM ANTIBIOTICS

beta-lactam antibiotics refer to those antibiotics that have a common beta-lactam ring structure. They include the penicillins, aminopenicil lins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and the monobactams. This article r eviews the management of people with a history of allergic reactions t o these antibiotics. In addition, oral and intravenous desensitization protocols are presented, and the use of elective testing for penicill in allergy is discussed.