Expanding Penicillin Allergy Evaluation in Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

Around 15% of hospitalized patients report a penicillin allergy, yet <3% of individuals are found to have a significant immune-mediated allergy on testing.1-3 Furthermore, at least 80% of individuals with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy to penicillin lose their allergy after 10 years of avoidance of the drug.1-3 Despite low likelihood of significant risk, most adults labeled with penicillin allergy go on to lifelong avoidance of the drug class, driving unnecessary use of alternative antibiotics that may be less effective, have greater associated adverse events, and cost more to the medical system.