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Medicine safety

What should I do if I have an allergic reaction to antibiotics?

Stop the antibiotic and seek medical advice; for swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, or fainting, call your emergency number immediately.

Deze informatie is uitsluitend bedoeld als algemene richtlijn en vormt geen medisch advies. Raadpleeg altijd een gekwalificeerde zorgprofessional voor persoonlijke medische vragen. Bel in geval van nood uw lokale alarmnummer.

Mild reactions, such as a rash or itching, can happen with antibiotics like penicillins. If you notice these, stop taking the medicine and contact a doctor or pharmacist for advice and an alternative.

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is a medical emergency. Signs include swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a widespread rash, dizziness, or collapse. Call your local emergency number straight away and use an adrenaline auto-injector if you have one.

Always tell every clinician and pharmacist about any antibiotic allergy so it can be recorded, and carry that information with you. A true allergy may rule out a whole class of antibiotics, so accurate records matter.

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