Good news for people with a history of a penicillin allergy — once again a penicillin skin testing extract is available on the market which help diagnose or rule out a penicillin allergy. Up to 10% of the general population reports a penicillin allergy, although only 1% actually are allergic to penicillin. Many people had a penicillin allergy many years ago, but have since outgrown it; others never had a true allergy, but experienced a non-allergic side effect from penicillin; still others experienced a non-allergic rash after taking penicillin. Pre-Pen, the brand name for the penicillin extract, is once again available after a 5 year absence due to manufacturing problems. Pre-Pen allows an allergist to help determine is a person is or isn’t allergic to penicillin, and is the ONLY standardized testing agent available for diagnosing antibiotic allergy. For many infections, penicillin and related antibiotics are some of the safest, most effective, and least expensive treatment options.

Learn more:

• Basics of Penicillin Allergy
• Taking Cephalosporins When You’re Penicillin Allergic
• How to Know if You’re Allergic to a Medication