Drug Desensitization

Drug or medication allergies are surprisingly common, and they can cause serious issues with medical treatment for some patients.

For drugs such as antibiotics, there may be a suitable alternative that a doctor can prescribe to treat an infection. But for other conditions such as cancer, the most effective treatments depend on just a handful of common drugs. For patients who are allergic to these important medications, drug desensitization allows them to continue their potentially life-saving treatments.

Desensitization treatment

Desensitization treatment can also be provided for other drugs that a patient needs to take regularly. 

Aspirin, which doctors often prescribe to reduce the risk of heart attacks, is a common trigger for allergic-like reactions. By administering increasing doses of aspirin over 6-7 hours under the observation of Hudson Allergy staff, your allergist can train your immune system to tolerate the drug. 

This kind of desensitization only works for medications that a patient will be taking consistently, which allows the body to maintain the tolerance over time. Ask your allergist if drug desensitization may work for you.