Respiratory · UKMLA & AKT

Drug allergy and hypersensitivity

A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise drug allergy and hypersensitivity — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.

Key high-yield points

  • Drug hypersensitivity = adverse drug reactions involving an immune mechanism - distinct from pharmacological side effects or intolerance
  • ~10% of population report drug allergy; the majority (>95% of penicillin labels) are incorrect on formal testing
  • Most commonly implicated: beta-lactams, NSAIDs, contrast media
  • More common in women and patients with HIV

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