Get Ahead of Drug Allergies

With Modena Allergy + Asthma in San Diego

Drug allergies that range in severity from mild itchiness to life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis or severe rashes (e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome) must be taken seriously. Alternatively, did you know that up to 90% of patients diagnosed with a penicillin drug allergy are not actually allergic?

Further, a penicillin allergy diagnosis (or misdiagnosis) will result in doctors using other second-line antibiotics that are less effective, more costly, and more likely to cause a side effect. If you have been diagnosed with an allergy to penicillin or another drug, it’s essential to be educated about your risks as well as the diagnosis and treatment options available from San Diego Drug allergy expert, Dr. Brian Modena of Modena Allergy + Asthma.

What is a drug desensitization procedure?

Reduce your concern about medications

Did you know that even people with a history of anaphylaxis to a drug can be given the same drug in a way that protects them from anaphylaxis? This is done under the close supervision of a trained allergist by something known as drug desensitization. Drug desensitization for drug allergy is the induction of a temporary tolerance to a drug by giving the drug in small but increasing doses at fixed time intervals in a highly supervised and controlled environment. Never attempt drug desensitization without the close supervision of a trained allergist. Since drug desensitization only induces a temporary tolerance to the medication, it must be repeated after every time the drug is stopped or held for greater than 24 hours. Allergists perform drug desensitization typically when doctors have run out of options to treat an infection. When done appropriately, they are safe and highly effective.

What are the benefits of drug allergy testing and treatment?

Relief and Safety For Your Family

Did you know that up to 90% of patients diagnosed with a penicillin drug allergy are not actually allergic? A penicillin allergy diagnosis (or misdiagnosis) will result in doctors choosing other second-line antibiotics to treat infections. These second-tier antibiotics are less effective, more costly, and more likely to cause side effects. Penicillin skin testing is a way to safely and quickly determine if you are truly allergic to penicillin. Dr. Brian Modena has been providing patients with drug allergy skin testing in San Diego for over ten years and has helped thousands of patients with their drug allergy testing needs. Dr. Brian Modena at Modena Allergy + Asthma provides effective treatment options when you need them most.

Am I a good candidate for drug allergy testing?

Anyone can be tested

Almost anyone with a penicillin drug allergy is a good candidate for testing. If your reaction was over 10 years ago, or you were too young (and don’t remember) your allergic reaction to penicillin, or your parents always told you that you were allergic to penicillin, then you are an especially good candidate for penicillin testing.

Alternatively, if you received several drugs at the same time, and you and your doctors are unsure which was the culprit medication that caused the reaction, you are also a good candidate. Penicillin skin testing can be especially important when your drug allergies are limiting your treatment options for infections.

San Diego drug allergies model with black sweater

Your Drug Allergy Testing Procedure

Know your allergies

Dr. Modena of Modena Allergy + Asthma offers patients in San Diego drug allergy testing in his office. Drug allergy testing is a quick, safe, and simple procedure done in the office. First, the skin is scratched using a lancet or plastic device dipped in the suspected drug. The skin is closely monitored for an allergic reaction. If there is no reaction to the initial scratch test, then a small amount of the drug is carefully injected just below the skin in the dermis and again monitored for a skin reaction. If both of these tests are negative, you may be offered to actually take the drug in the office while monitored closely by Dr. Modena.

Drug Allergy Recovery

Let Medicine Work For You

Unfortunately, bad reactions to medications do happen and can be severe. Many times, simply removing or stopping the drug that caused the reaction is enough to treat the reaction, and symptoms resolve in a few days or weeks. However, sometimes drug rashes, especially when severe, can go on for months and even years.

Dr. Modena at Modena Allergy + Asthma performs consultations and sees patients at all the major Scripps Hospitals in San Diego, including Scripps Memorial La Jolla, Scripps Memorial Encinitas, and Scripps Mercy (Hillcrest). Thus, he treats and closely follows many patients that have experienced negative drug reactions or rashes that happened in the hospital. Treatment of drug rashes can include treatments such as topical corticosteroids, oral steroids or even intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapies.

Drug Allergy Testing & Treatment Results

A treatment to keep you healthy

With Drug allergies San Diego patients can sometimes wait weeks or months for it to resolve, and many reactions can be dangerous if not treated promptly or if the treatment is not completed until the reaction resolves completely. At Modena Allergy + Asthma, we treat our patients like family. We are readily available by call or email when you are concerned or notice that your drug allergy reaction is worsening. We provide expert allergy consultation all the way until your symptoms are gone.

Schedule your San Diego drug allergy consultation with Modena Allergy + Asthma today

Committed to you

Drug allergies and medication reactions, when severe, can be scary and dangerous, but there are ways to treat them. Dr. Brian Modena is committed to finding you the best treatments so that you and your family can rest easy. Schedule your consultation with Modena Allergy + Asthma in San Diego today.

Drug Allergy

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes medication sensitivity?

Medication reactions are typically broken up into two categories: reactions caused by the immune system’s response to the drug and those that do not involve the immune system (idiosyncratic reactions). Under idiosyncratic reactions, there are expected and unexpected side effects or sensitivities to drugs. In the other class, the immune-mediated allergic reactions, there are many types of reactions, ranging from immediate onset reactions (like anaphylaxis) to delayed skin reactions that require being on medication for two or more weeks and can be equally life-threatening. Unfortunately, the exact cause of these reactions is not yet fully understood.

Take Control

Schedule a consultation today

You don’t have to let allergies, asthma or immune system issues dictate your life. With a specialist like Dr. Brian Modena by your side, you can get back to living your best life.

9850 Genesee Ave Suite 710, La Jolla, CA 92037

Drug Allergies in San Diego, CA