Allergic Reactions to
Medications
Any drug can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms or signs of allergic drug reactions include:
- An itchy rash or hives
- An asthmatic attack
- Loss of consciousness
- Swelling of a body part such as the lips or tongue
Drug side effects, not allergic reactions, include:
- Diarrhea
- Racing heart
- Dry mouth
- Heartburn
Migraines
A migraine headache is an intense, throbbing, moderate to severe
headache, usually on one side of the head. It usually is around the eyes. It may
last as long as several hours to 4 days and can be accompanied by nausea and
vomiting. The frequency can be as often as several times per week or as
infrequent as once a year. A minority of migraine headache patients have an
"aura" that precedes the pounding headache. The aura is described as bright
spots of light, zig-zag lines and/or temporary visual loss. The sense of smell
and taste may be affected at this time as well. There may also be
numbness/tingling in the hands or face, speech difficulty, weakness in your arm
or leg and mental confusion. The aura may last a few minutes to 1/2 hr and is
then followed by the headache.
