Checking your penicillin allergy

Your GP has access to training and resources so they can safely assess and manage penicillin allergy. Some patients can be assessed by a GP, and some may require referral to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist. Your GP or specialist (if referred) will discuss the process and any risks involved.

In medical studies of low-risk patients, 97% of people had no reaction at all and were able to remove the "allergy" label from their medical records. No one in these studies had a dangerous or life-threatening reaction.⁷

Checking your penicillin allergy is important, as it ensures that you get the right antibiotics in the future when you need it. This means more effective treatment and avoiding unnecessary complications.

At your appointment, your GP will follow a simple, step-by-step process. It may include one or more of the following steps:

Before doing any testing, there are some questions you may want to ask your GP. It is important that you fully understand the tests including risks and benefits. Knowing all the information is part of informed clinical consent.

Here are some questions that you may want to ask:

• What type of test is safe for me given my history and why?

• What exactly is involved in this test?

• How long does the test take?

• What’s my risk of a severe reaction like anaphylaxis during testing?

• How will I be observed after testing and how long for?

• How will reactions be managed if they occur?

• What is the estimated wait time to see a specialist and what is the out-of-pocket cost? (If you are referred to a specialist)

• Do I need to let you know about medications I am taking before the test? Have my medical records (including My Health Record) been updated with the results of the test? If I’m not penicillin allergic, has “penicillin allergy” been removed from all my records?

Getting all the information you need will help you to make an informed decision about your care, assist in making you comfortable throughout the process and ensure your medical records are accurate.