Beta-Adrenergic Antagonists and Fatal Anaphylactic Reactions to Oral Penicillin
Authors: Ruth L. Berkelman, Robert J. Finton, William R. Elsea
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Letters and Corrections1 January 1986Beta-Adrenergic Antagonists and Fatal Anaphylactic Reactions to Oral PenicillinRUTH L. BERKELMAN, M.D., ROBERT J. FINTON, M.S.P.H., WILLIAM R. ELSEA, M.D., M.P.H.RUTH L. BERKELMAN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ROBERT J. FINTON, M.S.P.H.Search for more papers by this author, WILLIAM R. ELSEA, M.D., M.P.H.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-104-1-134_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: Although penicillin is one of the commoner causes of anaphylactic reactions, fatal reactions to oral penicillin are rare, with only a few reports in the medical literature (1, 2). In 1983, health authorities were notified that within the same week two persons in the same community had died secondary to anaphylaxis after receiving oral penicillin. Both persons had been on antihypertensive therapy with nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonists.A 48-year-old man taking nadolol for hypertension was prescribed penicillin V for treatment of periodontal inflammation after gum surgery. He took half of the prescribed pills without incident and then discontinued...References1. IDSOEGUTHEWILLCOXDE WECK OTRA. Nature and extent of penicillin side-reactions, with particular references to fatalities from anaphylactic shock. Bull WHO. 1968;38:159-88. MedlineGoogle Scholar2. SIMMONDSHODGESNICOLBARNETT JSFD. Anaphylaxis after oral penicillin. Br Med J. 1978;2:1404. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. JACOBSRAKEFOURNIERCHILTONCULVERBECKMANN RGDRWC. Potentiated anaphylaxis in patients with drug-induced beta-adrenergic blockade. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1981;68:125-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. AUSTEN K. The anaphylactic syndrome. In: SAMTER M, ed. Immunological Diseases: Volume 2. 3rd ed. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company; 1978:885-99. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Fulton County Health Department Atlanta, GA 30333 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByAnaphylaxisOral Challenge without Skin Testing Safely Excludes Clinically Significant Delayed-Onset Penicillin HypersensitivityAnaphylaxis—a practice parameter update 2015The Risk and Management of Anaphylaxis in the Setting of ImmunotherapySkin prick testing in patients using beta-blockers: a retrospective analysisThe diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis practice parameter: 2010 UpdateAdverse Drug Reactions Associated with Home Parenteral TherapyDo β-blockers really enhance the risk of anaphylaxis during immunotherapy?Skin testing and oral penicillin challenge in patients with a history of remote penicillin allergyReplyRisks of penicillin skin testingDrug-Induced AsthmaPenicillin AllergyIncreased Risk for Anaphylactoid Reaction from Contrast Media in Patients on β-Adrenergic Blockers or with AsthmaDavid M. Lang, MD, Michael B. Alpern, MD, Paul F. Visintainer, PhD, Stephen T. Smith, MDDrug-induced anaphylaxisβ-Adrenoceptor antagonists and antianginal drugsImmediate hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin and related antibioticsPotentiated Anaphylaxis during Chronic Beta-Blocker TherapyAnaphylactic shockRisk of anaphylaxis in patients receiving beta-blocker drugs 1 January 1986Volume 104, Issue 1Page: 134-134KeywordsAnaphylaxisAntihypertensive drug therapyHypertensionInflammationOral healthPenicillinSurgery Issue Published: 1 January 1986 PDF DownloadLoading ...