New Location: We've moved! Uptown Allergy & Asthma is now seeing patients at our new location at 2620 Jena Street (right next door to our old location!). We look forward to seeing you in our new space.
Get Clarity on Your Drug Reaction
Drug Allergy Testing & Treatment in New Orleans
Dr. Reena Mehta is a board-certified allergist in New Orleans, LA that provides drug allergy testing and treatment. Take a drug allergy test for penicillin allergy, ibuprofen allergy, and other drug allergies. Schedule your visit today!
“I found Dr. Mehta’s care unmatched compared to any other allergist I’ve seen. I really appreciated her patience in understanding my concerns, evaluating my medical history, and thoroughly explaining all of the options for my treatment. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Mehta to anyone looking for a caring and skilled allergist.“
– Carissa P, April 2019
Overview
Symptoms
Drug Allergy Test
Penicillin Allergy Testing
Treatment
Allergic drug reactions occur when the immune system overreacts to a harmless substance in a drug that triggers an allergic reaction. Common drug allergies that produce an allergic reaction include:
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin
- Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen
- Anticonvulsants
- Monoclonal antibody therapy
- Chemotherapy
Drug Allergy vs. Adverse Drug Reaction
If you suspect that you might be allergic to a medication that’s been prescribed by your doctor, be sure to call your doctor before altering or stopping your dosage.
The most common drug allergy symptoms include:
- Skin rashes, usually hives
- Itching
- Respiratory problems
- Swelling, such as in the face
Serious allergic responses involve swelling, hives, lowered blood pressure, and anaphylactic shock in severe cases. These symptoms require immediate medical attention, and can be fatal if they’re not managed appropriately.
Drug allergy symptoms can be very similar to symptoms caused by other conditions. It can be difficult to determine if a reaction is caused by medication or something else. If you suspect that you have a drug allergy, or if you’ve received an allergy diagnosis from a physician that’s not an allergist, it’s important to see an allergist and undergo a proper drug allergy test to confirm.
During a drug allergy test, Dr. Mehta will ask you to describe your symptoms, when symptoms began, and how long symptoms last. You should also be prepared to describe any other medications you were taking during the time of your reaction, including over-the-counter medications.
Drug allergy misdiagnosis is very common, especially in the case of suspected penicillin allergy. As many as 90% of penicillin allergy diagnoses are actually misdiagnosed, preventing many individuals from taking penicillin antibiotics that could help them through common illnesses.
Standardized penicillin allergy testing is available and may be followed by an oral drug challenge in the clinic. Testing provides a high degree of certainty that penicillin and similar medications can be taken without allergic reaction.
Dr. Mehta explain penicillin allergy on Fox 8 Local First News.
Antihistamines, corticosteroids, and epinephrine may be prescribed in response to a serious drug allergy reaction.
The first step to overcoming a suspected drug allergy is to receive a proper diagnosis. Once diagnosed, Dr. Mehta can help you identify alternative medications that you’re not allergic to. If no alternative medication is available, the medication that you’re allergic to may be introduced in small doses until the therapeutic dose is achieved. This is called a desensitization procedure.
It’s important that you keep your other physicians, dentist, and pharmacy informed and up to date on your drug allergies.
Drug Allergy Testing & Treatment in New Orleans
Book Online
Click Here to Book Online
Put time on our calendar. Schedule an appointment using our online booking page.
Email us or use the
contact form below and we'll coordinate your visit.
You can also use this contact form for general inquiries.
Site Navigation
Patient Education
Social Media
Copyright © 2023 by OnChart - All Rights Reserved. Please review our Terms of Use.