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Immediate allergic reactions to drugs (IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated): Possible signs and symptoms

Immediate allergic reactions to drugs (IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated): Possible signs and symptoms
Skin
  • Itching*
  • Urticaria*
  • Angioedema*
  • Warmth
  • Flushing
  • Other exanthema
Eyes, ears, nose
  • Periorbital edema*
  • Rhinorrhea*
  • Nasal itching*
  • Nasal congestion*
  • Ocular itching
  • Tearing
  • Conjunctival injection and/or edema
  • Sneezing
Mouth
  • Itching or tingling of lips, tongue, oral mucosa*
  • Angioedema of lips, tongue, or uvula*
  • Metallic taste
Throat
  • Itching*
  • Sense of constriction or swelling in throat*
  • Change in voice quality*
  • Difficulty swallowing*
  • Stridor*
  • Hoarseness
  • Drooling
Lungs
  • Shortness of breath*
  • Chest tightness*
  • Repetitive cough*
  • Wheezing*
  • Drop in oxygen saturation, cyanosis
Cardiovascular
  • Lightheadedness/faintness/dizziness*
  • Tachycardia or occasionally, bradycardia*
  • Hypotension*
  • Syncope/loss of consciousness
  • Palpitations
  • Tunnel vision
  • Difficulty hearing
  • Urinary or fecal incontinence
  • Cardiac arrest
Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramping or pain
  • Diarrhea
Gynecologic
  • Vaginal itching
  • Uterine cramping or bleeding
Neurologic
  • Anxiety
  • Sense of impending doom
  • Altered mental status/confusion
  • Seizures
Immediate reactions to drugs often present with combinations of the signs and symptoms listed in the table. Those bolded and marked with an asterisk (*) are more consistent and representative than the others, and one or more of these should be present to consider the reaction immediate.
IgE: immunoglobulin E.
Graphic 100732 Version 5.0