Drug Testing

Penicillin is the only antibiotic with available standardized testing.

Penicillin testing involves three steps.

1) Skin prick testing with the two components of the penicillin.

2) If negative, we perform intradermal testing (injections) with the two components of the penicillin.

3) If both skin prick and intradermal testing are negative, you will return on a separate day for a graded drug challenge appointment (2 hour appointment).

Skin testing to other antibiotics/medications can sometimes be performed, however we do not have standardized testing available for other medications. Therefore testing will not be as accurate. If a true allergic reaction to a medication is suspected, we will usually recommend avoidance.