AboutBarbara Judge Expertise Outpatient pharmacy and general health. I have recently completed a Pharmceutical Care Certificate Program offered by Purdue University (Spring 1999 completion). I have personal experience dealing with terminally ill persons and their needs, as well as their families` needs. I graduated in 1984 from Pharmacy School and have been a Licensed Pharmacist since then. I have 18 years retail pharmacy experience. Prior to my pharmacy training I have 3 years hospital experience as a Nurse`s Aide.
Expert: Barbara Judge Date: 2/24/2008 Subject: amoxicillin
Question Hello. I took penicilin as a child and developed a rash so I assumed I was allergic. I recently got a severely swollen gland from a tooth infection and began taking amoxicillin. I am now worried I may develop a reaction. Could my rash as a adolescent have been just a normal side effect? I didnt need treatment from it and it wasnt accompanied by any other side effect. I hope you can ease my mind!
Answer In most cases if you develop a rash while taking any antibiotic the assumption is that the antibiotic was the cause. Especially with small children a rash may or may not have been from the antibiotic. Extremely high fevers can cause fever rashes. The only way to determine the cause of the rash is to test for it which is cost prohibitive. It is cheaper and easier to avoid the use of a specific antibiotic in the future since there are many to choose from rather than risk another reaction.
If you are currently taking the amoxicillin with no reaction then it is probably safe to assume the childhood rash you had was not due to penicillin at all. If you have not started taking the amoxicillin and intend to take it I would recommend doing so cautiously. You may have the same reaction, a rash, or you could have a worse reaction such as swelling around the mouth, throat, and neck. This reaction can be very dangerous or even life threatening. If you have not started taking it yet I would recommend talking it over with the doctor/dentist who prescribed it for you.
