Spectrum: Local Antimicrobial Stewardship, for Prisma Health-Midlands

Penicillin Allergy

Note

Patients with penicillin allergy should not receive piperacillin-tazobactam

Minor Penicillin Allergies

Definition

  • Nonspecific rashes

  • GI Intolerance

Cross reactivity with 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins is low (<3%)

The benefit from beta-lactam antibiotics outweighs the potential risk in these patients

Serious Penicillin Allergies

Definition

  • Anaphylaxis

  • Angiodema

  • Breathing problems

  • Hives

Consider consultation with an infectious diseases specialist for optimal empirical therapy

Treatment options include (in the absence of prior exposure to the respective class of antibiotics in the past 90 days):

Aztreonam

Ciprofloxacin

Tobramycin

Gentamicin