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Related Concept Videos

Allergic Drug Reactions01:27

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis01:30

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis
07:22

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis

Published on: May 31, 2021

Macrolides allergy.

Luis Araújo1, Pascal Demoly

  • 1Allergy Division, Hospital Universitario de S Joao, Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|November 11, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Macrolide antibiotics are generally safe, but allergies can occur, particularly with erythromycin. These allergies are typically not class-wide, and avoidance or desensitization are effective treatments.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Macrolides are a class of antibiotics characterized by a lactonic ring with attached sugar chains.
  • Classification is based on the macrolide ring size: 14-membered (e.g., erythromycin), 15-membered (e.g., azithromycin), and 16-membered (e.g., spiramycin).
  • Epidemiological data suggest macrolides are among the safest antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the safety profile of macrolide antibiotics, focusing on allergic reactions.
  • To investigate the characteristics and management of macrolide-induced hypersensitivity.
  • To determine if macrolide allergies are typically class-specific.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological studies on macrolide safety.
  • Analysis of reported cases of immediate IgE-dependent hypersensitivity to macrolides, specifically erythromycin.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic methods, including skin tests.
  • Assessment of treatment strategies for macrolide allergies.

Main Results:

  • While generally safe, immediate IgE-dependent hypersensitivity reactions to macrolides, particularly erythromycin, have been documented.
  • The underlying mechanism for these hypersensitivity reactions remains largely unknown.
  • Skin tests for macrolide allergy are frequently negative.
  • Macrolide allergies appear to be specific to the individual drug rather than the entire class.

Conclusions:

  • Macrolide antibiotics are considered safe overall, but specific hypersensitivity reactions can occur.
  • Drug-specific avoidance (eviction) is the primary treatment for macrolide allergy.
  • Desensitization protocols have shown success in managing hypersensitivity in select cases.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of macrolide-induced hypersensitivity.