Why it's important to let your doctors know about ALL of your drug allergies

[Funnygrl]

I'm allergic to benzoyl peroxide. It's a topically applied acne medication. I am quite allergic to it. I tell my dermatologist and GP that no problem. But I feel stupid telling any other doctor that. I mean, why would they care about my acne medication? And I really feel stupid if I'm in the hospital wearing an allergy band because of it. I have gotten to the point where I say, "Yeah, I'm allergic to benzoyl peroxide, but I'm sure you don't care about that." It's gotten better since I discovered my Lantus allergy, since now I would have to wear the allergy band anyways.

But today, I'm doing my homework, and reading the contraindications for Lovenox, a form of heparin, a blood thinner. And I see this, under cautious use, "benzyl alcohol hypersensitivity."

So, it is important. Because I'm allergic to a topical acne medication, I shouldn't take an injected blood thinner. Go figure.

[Keezheekoni]

Ugh, if you don't have to, don't take Lovenox...lol I had to take it twice a day for a week. The bruises I had because of that **** are still on my abdomen, and this was 4 months ago!

I know all about allergies. My endo decided that my sulfa allergy didn't matter and prescribed lisinopril with hydoclorothyazide. Guess what? The pharmacist wouldn't give it to me! Good thing...since I have a sulfa reaction that most don't...anaphylaxis. My endo didn't think that it was a bad enough allergy and gave me the script. Nice...

[Funnygrl]

Yeah, I'm not planning on taking lovenox. Just interesting.

[grace girl]

You can't be too careful with severe alergies. I had to wear a penicilin alergy bracelet all of my childhood because I had an anaphylactic reaction to it when I was young. I know they don't use it much anymore, but I still tell every medical person I come into contact with.
The strange thing is, when I was 15 I had a pediatrician who wanted to give me a dose, you know, just to see what would happen....my mother almost killed him on the spot.