When you visit a doctor’s office for diagnosis of and treatment for an ailment, the medical staff will have you fill out a form detailing your medical history. The document will always request that you record any known drug allergies you have. This information is necessary to ensure that the physician does not give you a dangerous medication that could spur a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. If you are given a drug to which you have a known allergy, then the physician or pharmacist may be held liable for your suffering on the premise of medical malpractice.
Common Drug Allergies
A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, caused by an abnormal immune system reaction to the substance. This overproduction of antibodies and histamine can cause rashes, hives, wheezing and, in serious cases, anaphylaxis. Depending on the severity of one’s allergy, the reaction may be deadly.
The most common drugs to which people are allergic include the following:
Sulfa
Anticonvulsants
Iodine dyes (used for x-rays)
Penicillin (among other antibiotics)
Insulin medication
Unless the patient is experiencing his or her first adverse drug reaction, allergic reactions to drugs generally result from a negligent physician or pharmacist who prescribes or distributes the wrong medication to a patient. If you have been a victim of this type of professional negligence, you may have a right to damages.
Contact Us
If you have suffered an allergic reaction to a drug because of a physician or pharmacist’s negligence, then you may have the right to claim compensation for your suffering. Contact Jacksonville personal injury lawyer Donald Guthrie today at 904-493-6455 to discuss your situation with a qualified attorney.