Question

If a patient is allergic to one penicillin are they allergic to all penicillins? What percent of patients who are allergic to penicillins experience cross-sensitivity to cephalosporins? May cephalosporins be used in patients allergic to penicillins?

Answer 1

While not all penicillin-allergic patients are allergic to all penicillins, they can exhibit cross-sensitivity to cephalosporins; careful consideration is required when prescribing cephalosporins to such patients.

Step-by-step explanation:

Patients allergic to one penicillin may not necessarily be allergic to all penicillins due to the different R groups; however, caution is essential. About 5% to 10% of patients with penicillin allergies exhibit cross-sensitivity to cephalosporins. Cephalosporins may sometimes be prescribed to patients with penicillin allergies, but only after careful evaluation and under medical supervision. The risk of cross-reactivity is lower with higher generations of cephalosporins due to their differing R groups and structural variations from penicillins.