Dangerous Drugs: Why Taking Antibiotics Can Be Deadly for Those with Allergies

We often rely on antibiotics to rid ourselves of pesky infections, but they are potent drugs that can be deadly for those who are allergic to them.
I was reminded of this recently with my first-ever ambulance ride to the ER.

After awaking one morning with all the classic symptoms of a UTI (also known as a bladder infection), I called my doctor's office. Having been prone to UTIs several years ago, I knew that a simple course of the antibiotic Macrobid would clear things up in no time. With an extremely busy day ahead of me, the last thing I wanted was to waste time sitting in a waiting room just so my doctor could tell me what I already knew.

Of course, the receptionist had other ideas. "Oh no, the doctor will need to see you and get a urine sample," she chirped in answer to my request that the office call in a prescription to my pharmacy. Silently cursing her, I agreed to stop in after taking the kids to school.

This being the dead of winter in Ohio, the doctor's waiting room was, of course, filled to capacity when I arrived, so I sat tensely, anxious about the mountain of work awaiting me (I work from a home office). The deadlines ticked louder in my head with each passing minute.

Finally, it was my turn. Once I provided the obligatory jar of urine for a quick culture, the doctor returned in a matter of minutes to confirm that I did, indeed, have a bladder infection (gee, thanks for that useful information). He must have sensed my stress level, because he said he could give me some office samples of the antibiotic Levaquin that I would need to take only once a day for three days. Grateful not to have to make a trip to the pharmacy, I collected the samples from the nurse and left.

Back home, I dutifully popped the first day's dose and settled in to work in my home office.