Many patients experience adverse reactions to medications.  Contrary to popular belief, only a small percent of these reactions are true allergic reactions. An allergic reaction means the patient’s immune system is programmed to recognize a certain medication and produce a specific reaction whenever it encounters that drug.  A more common non-allergic reaction to medications may include a side effect, either from a sensitivity to the drug or from an overdose.

It is quite possible to be allergic to almost any medication, although some are more common than others (anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, etc).  Reactions can include many different types of rashes with varying degrees of intensity, to more severe life-threatening systemic allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).