3

β-Lactam antibiotics: the most common allergens among drugs.

Allergic reactions caused by β-lactam antibiotics bind to their chemical structure. The source of haptens is an unstable β-lactam ring to which proteins bind to form penicilloyl epitopes (called “major determinant”) responsible for the allergy to penicillin.

doi: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4692812/

Why are beta-lactam antibiotics the most common drug allergens?

I was thinking that it could be due to the fact that beta-lactam antibiotics as Penicillins & Cephalosporins, are used in relatively higher amounts (e.g. 500 - 1000mg)

Also, maybe the mode of administration should play a role: other drugs used in the same weight range are given only orally (Vs. antibiotics which are often given parenterally)??

Improve this question
15
  • Consider what antibiotics are derived from. Unlike drugs, most of which are small molecule compounds, antibiotics are usually derived from organic compounds produced by bacteria and fungi.
    – Carey Gregory ♦
    Oct 19, 2022 at 23:56
  • @CareyGregory With a source that would seem to be an excellent answer, not a point I've heard before but seems interesting.
    – Bryan Krause ♦
    Oct 20, 2022 at 2:30
  • 1
    To be honest, I have seen more allergies to NSAIDS than antibiotics. The majority of people allergic to penicillin are not, in fact, allergic to the drug (via challenge) and about 10% of kids getting amoxicillin develop a rash, which is not a true allergic reaction, it's a commonly recognized "amoxicillin rash" which does not involve antibodies to the antibiotic. There is (or was) also a prevalent misbelief that people who are allergic to penicillin have a pretty high incidence of cephalosporin allergy. If you take these things into account, NSAIDS may well be the most common drug allergy.
    – anongoodnurse
    Oct 21, 2022 at 0:07
  • 1
    @CareyGregory - I usually don't write answers unless some prior research is edited into the question. It's not a lot to ask. But I do try to help the OP with hints or redirection.
    – anongoodnurse
    Oct 21, 2022 at 14:45
  • 2
    Alright, i added a source
    – Freezing Soul
    Oct 22, 2022 at 11:32

0

Reset to default

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.