Millions mistakenly believe they are allergic to penicillin

Millions of people mistakenly believe they are allergic to penicillin, which could mean they are compromising their health by receiving different antibiotics that may be less effective, prolong recovery periods and could cause admission to hospital.

As a result, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) have produced a checklist for pharmacists to inform conversations with patients about penicillin allergy. It is also asking patients to check their medical record the next time they visit their GP to ensure they are not wrongly labelled as allergic to penicillin.

Around 6% of people have a penicillin allergy label on their medical record, equating to four million people in the UK, yet over 90% of patients are found not to have an allergy to it when fully assessed. Being labelled allergic to penicillin is associated with a higher mortality rate of an extra 6 deaths per 1000 patients in the year following treatment for infection.

Ask questions about a penicillin allergy label on your medical record

RPS spokesperson Ms Tase Oputu said: “Every medicine has benefits and harms and I urge patients to ask questions about a penicillin allergy label on their medical record. Many individuals are at low, or very low risk, of having a genuine penicillin allergy and we often find that after careful investigation that they can take penicillin safely. Others, who may have had a severe reaction in the past, will need allergy testing and in some cases may never be able to take penicillin.

“Patients should talk to their pharmacist or other health professional to help understand the difference between side effects and allergic reactions, which can sometimes look similar, so they receive the most effective treatment for their needs.”

People may believe they are allergic to penicillin for a variety of reasons:

• Common side effects of antibiotics, such as nausea or diarrhoea, are often confused with allergic reactions and usually pass once the course of treatment has finished
• Sometimes symptoms of the infection being treated, for example a rash, can be considered an allergic reaction and reported as such
• An allergy reported many years ago, perhaps in childhood, has settled down but the perception of an allergy remains.

Once on a patient’s record, a penicillin allergy label can remain there for years without question, compromising their treatment.

Amena Warner, Head of Clinical Services for Allergy UK, added: ‘Many people have had a label of having a penicillin allergy from early childhood often after having a rash with antibiotics. This label can be carried with them the rest of their lives, without it ever being investigated. There is now a national effort to look into this and the best way to do this. Allergy UK welcomes this issue being explored more closely and will ensure the patient voice and perspective is represented.”