Knowledge of allergic responses

[albaqwerty]

When taking prescribed or over-the counter medicine for the first time, and after reading the instruction leaflet, it always states do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.

Fair enough, but how do you know beforehand??

[bednobs]

loads of tablets contain things like lanolin and talc to bulk them up, and as a carrier for the actual drug - this is what they mean i guess

[woofgang]

Well but a lot of meds aren't called by the active ingredient or may have more than one in them. You might know what you are allergic to by the drug name (eg cetirizine) but not but the formulation name (eg zirtek)

[Sqad]

That is a very good question young alba, as unless one has taken the drugs before then, as you say, how is one to know?

The other complicating factor is that any untoward symptoms after taking the drug are looked upon as "allergic to the drug" and in many cases, the most in my opinion, has nothing to do with the drug.

An example...how many times have you heard "I cannot take that antibiotic as it brings me out in a rash" in actual fact almost certainly, in my opinion, the rash is a part of the illness and nothing to do with the antibiotic.

Also, the word allergy is totally wrong in relation to the side effects of drugs, hypersensitivity or "exaggerated " response is a much better term, and one has to take the drug before one can tell what the reaction is to be.

I would throw away these instruction leaflets completely..".I cannot take Ibuprofen because the instructions say that if I have an ulcer, this drug must not be taken" This may be true but many people with "ulcers" take Ibuprofen without any problems, but some do have problems, one must take them to find out.

I could go on and on about this but I always find it difficult to proffer my answers at a level that will be understood by all and not just to the informed.

Good question.

[woofgang]

Ooo sqad so us dumb types don't get your cleverness then??????

[Sqad]

woofgang.........I hope that was in jest.

[albaqwerty]

hehe sqad, young alba indeed, you rascal you :)

I've a mist for my eyes, (darned conjunctivitis). Now I know I don't have a reaction to golden eye ointment, or penicillin for an infection for example. I do NOT fancy having a poor reaction when it comes to my eyes.

I might mis-read the "does waxing hurt" post for does washing hurt, but I'd rather mis-read than not be able to read at all.

[woofgang]

Sqad........Maybe......... ;-)