Other Serious Reactions To Identify

Other serious hypersensivity reactions for which one would consider a contraindication to penicillin until assessed by an allergist:

• Hemolytic anemia associated with penicillin

• Serum sickness (arthritis, fever, renal damage, diffuse erythematous skin with no urticaria)

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome / Toxic epidermal necrolysis (mucous membrane involvement, blistering rash, requires hospital admission)

• Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and typically have end organ involvement such as hepatitis and elevated creatinine.