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Drug Allergy Testing & Treatment in Long Beach

Accurate testing and treatment options to identify and manage true drug allergies, helping you avoid unnecessary restrictions and access safe medications.

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Accurate Diagnosis | Peace of Mind

Why Choose Modena Allergy and Asthma for Drug Allergies?

Reactions to medications can range from mild itching to life-threatening anaphylaxis, but not all suspected drug allergies are true allergies. In fact, misdiagnosis is common and may lead to unnecessary medication restrictions that limit your treatment options.

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we specialize in accurate drug allergy testing and desensitization protocols to help identify which medications are truly safe—or potentially harmful—for you. With expert evaluation and evidence-based treatment, we ensure you have the knowledge and confidence to move forward with the care you need.

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Drug Allergies at a Glance

  • Purpose: Confirms whether a true drug allergy exists and identifies medications that are safe to use.
  • How It's Done: Includes skin prick testing, intradermal testing, blood tests, and carefully supervised oral drug challenges.
  • Treatment Options: May involve drug desensitization therapy or identifying safe alternative medications.
  • Who Benefits: Ideal for patients with suspected drug allergies or those previously told to avoid certain medications.
  • Why It Matters: Opens up access to first-line treatments while lowering the risk of serious allergic reactions.

Safely Manage Drug Allergies

What is drug allergy testing?

Drug allergy testing helps determine whether you have a true allergic reaction to a medication or if it’s safe for you to take. Many people—especially those labeled as allergic to penicillin—aren’t actually allergic, which can limit access to effective treatments unnecessarily.

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we take a thorough and evidence-based approach to confirm or rule out drug allergies. Testing may include:

  • Skin Prick Testing: A small amount of the medication is applied to the skin to check for a reaction.
  • Intradermal Testing: A tiny dose is injected just under the skin to observe the immune response.
  • Blood Testing: Evaluates for allergy-related antibodies that may signal a reaction.
  • Oral Drug Challenge: The gold standard test, where you take the medication in a controlled clinical setting under expert supervision.

Our goal is to give you clear answers, safer treatment options, and peace of mind.

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Safely Reintroduce Essential Medications

What is drug desensitization?

Drug desensitization is a specialized treatment that allows patients with known drug allergies to safely take medications they would otherwise react to—especially when no alternatives are available.

The process involves giving the medication in very small doses, gradually increasing the amount over time under close medical supervision. This helps the immune system build temporary tolerance and reduces the risk of a severe allergic reaction.

It's important to note that this tolerance lasts only as long as the medication is taken consistently. Once the medication is stopped, the desensitization process must be repeated before using it again.

Drug desensitization offers a reliable, proven way to access critical medications without compromising safety.

Identify What’s Safe—And What’s Not

What conditions does drug allergy address?

Drug allergy testing is designed to pinpoint true allergic reactions to specific medications, helping patients avoid unnecessary restrictions and access the safest, most effective treatments available.

Common drug categories tested include:

  • Antibiotics: Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Sulfa drugs
  • Pain Relievers: Aspirin, NSAIDs, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen
  • Anesthesia & Contrast Dyes: Often used during surgeries or imaging procedures
  • Chemotherapy Agents: Essential for cancer treatment planning
  • Anticonvulsants & Mood Stabilizers: Frequently prescribed for neurological or psychiatric conditions

If you’ve ever experienced hives, facial swelling, shortness of breath, or a severe reaction after taking a medication, drug allergy testing can help confirm your diagnosis and guide your treatment safely.

Expand Your Treatment Options

What are the benefits of drug allergy testing?

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we help you clarify your diagnosis and take control of your care.

  • Accurate Diagnosis: Drug allergy testing helps determine whether your reaction was due to a true allergy or another cause. This clarity can eliminate unnecessary restrictions and reduce fear around taking medications.
  • Access to First-Line Treatments: A false allergy label can prevent you from receiving the most effective therapies. Testing clears the path to using first-choice medications, such as penicillin, which are often more effective, affordable, and have fewer side effects than alternatives.
  • Prevention of Severe Reactions: By identifying which medications truly pose a risk, we can help you avoid dangerous allergic reactions before they occur—especially those that could lead to anaphylaxis or hospitalization.
  • Better Long-Term Health Outcomes: Avoiding unnecessary second-line drugs helps reduce long-term side effects and improves treatment effectiveness. Whether you're managing infections, chronic conditions, or undergoing surgery, having accurate medication information leads to better care overall.

With the right testing and expert guidance, drug allergy testing gives you peace of mind and empowers your entire care team to make informed, confident decisions.

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The Care You Need

Am I a candidate for drug allergy testing?

Drug allergy testing is recommended for anyone who has experienced symptoms that may have been caused by a medication or has been previously labeled as allergic without formal testing. You may be a good candidate if:

  • You’ve been told you’re allergic to penicillin or another antibiotic but have never undergone allergy testing.
  • You’ve experienced symptoms like hives, rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing after taking a medication.
  • You need a specific medication for treatment, but have avoided it due to a suspected allergy.
  • You want to clarify or remove a drug allergy from your medical record to expand your treatment options.

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we provide safe, accurate testing to help you and your care team make informed decisions about your health. Whether confirming a true allergy or clearing up a misdiagnosis, our goal is to give you peace of mind and access to the medications you need.

Healing After a Reaction

Drug Allergy Recovery

While many drug-related allergic reactions improve once the medication is discontinued, more severe responses—such as persistent rashes—can linger for weeks or even months.

Recovery treatments may include:

  • Antihistamines & Corticosteroids – To relieve itching, reduce inflammation, and speed up skin healing.
  • Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPen) – Prescribed for those with a history of life-threatening reactions to ensure emergency preparedness.
  • IVIG Therapy – Reserved for serious reactions impacting the skin or internal organs, offering immune system support and promoting recovery.

Our specialists at Modena Allergy & Asthma tailor treatment plans based on your reaction severity and overall health to ensure safe, complete healing.

Know What’s Safe, Treat What’s Not

Drug Allergy Testing Results

Being told you have a drug allergy doesn’t always mean lifelong avoidance. At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we use advanced testing, such as skin tests, blood tests, and in-office drug challenges, to determine whether a true allergy exists. Skin test results are often available within minutes, while blood tests return in 3–7 days. Oral challenges provide immediate, definitive answers under expert supervision.

For patients who still need medications they’ve reacted to in the past, drug desensitization offers a safe path forward. By gradually introducing the medication in a controlled setting, we help your body build temporary tolerance, so you can safely receive essential treatments when needed. In many cases, once a drug allergy is ruled out, that medication becomes a safe option for future use.

Our goal is simple: to give you clarity, peace of mind, and access to the treatments you need—safely and confidently.

Drug Allergy Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Over time, drug allergies, such as penicillin allergies, can diminish, underscoring the importance of confirming their current status through testing. Accurate testing is vital in assessing the current activity of allergies, enabling healthcare professionals to make more informed and tailored treatment choices for patients.

Penicillin is frequently listed as a drug allergy, yet research shows that approximately 90% of individuals labeled as allergic may not truly have a penicillin allergy. This misconception can lead to the unnecessary avoidance of this effective antibiotic, resulting in less effective treatment options and potentially higher healthcare costs.

Discover if your insurance plan covers allergy testing and desensitization services. Our expert team is dedicated to assisting you in verifying your coverage for these essential medical procedures, ensuring that you receive the care you need without financial stress.