[Occupational allergy in the production of drugs]

Quinazoline oxide--an intermediate in chlordiazepoxide synthesis--is the most potent contact allergen in the pharmaceutical industry. Penicillins proved to be potent allergens. Conditions of the technological process favor development of hypersensitivity to tetracyclines. No single case of allergy to erythromycin was noted. In case of employees hypersensitive to disulfiram and aminophylline cross reactions with compounds of similar structure were observed. The authors discuss also some problems concerning contact allergy in all persons occupationally dealing with various medicines.