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08
Oct 2023
Harrogate doctor aims to 'debunk the myth' of penicillin allergy
A doctor at Harrogate District Hospital has set up a service to "debunk the myth" of penicillin allergy.
One in 10 people are currently diagnosed with a penicillin allergy but Dr Mike Wakefield, a respiratory consultant, said the true figure was thought to be closer to one in 100.
This meant people often received less effective antibiotics with greater side effects, he said.
Dr Wakefield said people diagnosed as penicillin allergic were more likely to die in the next year, require repeat prescriptions for antibiotics and contract superbugs. He said:
"Penicillin drugs which are used to kill bacteria are a vital part of the antimicrobial armoury.
"I've set up a service in the district to start challenging this by finding out more about why people have gained a label of penicillin allergic and when suitable given them a dose of penicillin under close observation."
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Dr Wakefield said many people were told they were allergic to penicillin in childhood and never challenged this. Sometimes this was because they experienced side effects when taking penicillin but side effects are common with all drugs and don't necessarily indicate allergic reactions.
He added GPs sometimes found it safer to prescribe alternatives. Also, many people grow out of childhood allergies.
Dr Wakefield said his service aimed to debunk the myth that penicillin allergies were widespread.
Since starting in Harrogate a year ago he has completed a pilot study of de-labelling patients branded penicillin allergic.
He has given supervised amoxicillin or flucloxacillin penicillin tablets to patients with frequent chest infections whose medical history indicated they might not have a real penicillin allergy.
If patients didn't have a reaction, he said they could take penicillin-based antibiotics for future infections.
Dr Wakefield said a combination of supervised tests and clinical tests meant the likeliness of a true allergy could be understood.
Besides his ad hoc trials at the hospital, Dr Wakefield provides a penicillin service at the Duchy Hospital in Harrogate. People can either be referred by their GP or book appointments.
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