Guidelines
Why Allergy Assessment is Important

Why Allergy Assessment is Important

Why Allergy Assessment is Important

  • Penicillin and beta-lactam allergy labels are common
  • Beta-lactam allergy labels are associated with worse patient outcomes, more adverse effects, and unnecessarily broad-spectrum antibiotics
  • Beta-lactam allergy labels are commonly inaccurate or outdated
  • Even in true penicillin or amoxicillin allergy, patients can usually receive other beta-lactam antibiotics safely
  • Correct assessment and documentation of beta-lactam allergy is essential

All beta-lactams should be avoided if there is a history of severe reaction to any beta-lactam including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, hemolytic anemia, interstitial nephritis, hepatitis, and serum sickness.