Factors affecting penicillin allergy persistence

Unintended drug reactions are a serious public health issue that affects doctors' prescriptions and practice. Drugs that cause drug hypersensitivity most commonly include beta-lactam (BL) antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In clinical practice, among beta-lactam antibiotics, penicillin allergy is the most frequently encountered with in all age groups. Reactions occurring after penicillin exposure can range from mild reactions such as skin rashes to severe reactions that can be life-threatening, such as anaphylaxis. Therefore, the use of these drugs creates anxiety for both physicians and patients. In most cases, penicillin is replaced by other antibiotics that are less effective and more expensive than penicillin although it is really needed.